[163] "In this dark day of peril to the cause and to himself (at the close of 1776) Washington remained firm and undaunted. In casting about for some stronghold where he might make a desperate stand for the liberties of his country, his thoughts reverted to the mountain regions of his early campaigns. General Mercer was at hand, who had shared his perils among those mountains, and his presence may have contributed to bring them to his mind. 'What think you.' said Washington, 'if we should retreat to the back parts of Pennsylvania, would the Pennsylvanians support us?' 'If the lower counties give up, the back counties will do the same,' was the discouraging reply. 'We must then retire to Augusta County, in Virginia,' said Washington. 'Numbers will repair to us for safety, and we will try a predatory war. If overpowered, we must cross the Alleghanies.' Such was the indomitable spirit, rising under difficulties and buoyant in the darkest moment, that kept our tempest-tossed cause from foundering."--_Irving's Washington_, II, 448. [164] "To herd with _North_, or _Bute_, or _Mansfield_ there,"--_Ed. 1786._ ON AMANDA'S SINGING BIRD[165] A native of the Canary Islands, confined in a small cage Happy in my native grove, I from spray to spray did rove, Fond of music, full of love. Dressed as fine as bird could be, Every thing that I did see, Every thing was mirth to me. There had I been, happy still, With my mate to coo and bill In the vale, or on the hill. But the cruel tyrant, man, (Tyrant since the world began) Soon abridged my little span. How shall I the wrong forget! Over me he threw a net; And I am his prisoner yet. To this rough Bermudian shore Ocean I was hurried o'er, Ne'er to see my country more! To a narrow cage confined, I, who once so gaily shined, Sing to please the human kind. Dear Amanda!--leave me free, And my notes will sweeter be; On your breast, or in the tree![166] On your arm I would repose-- One--oh make me--of your beaus-- There I would relate my woes. Now, all love, and full of play, I so innocently gay, Pine my little life away. Thus to grieve and flutter here, Thus to pine from year to year; This is usage too severe. From the chiefs who rule your isle, I will never court a smile; All, with them, is prison style.[167] But from your superior mind Let me but my freedom find, And I will be all resigned. Then your kiss will hold me fast-- If but once by you embraced, In your 'kerchief I will rest. Gentle shepherds of the plain, Who so fondly hear my strain; Help me to be free again. 'Tis a blessing to be free:-- Fair Amanda![168]--pity me, Pity him who sings for thee. But if, cruel, you deny That your captive bird should fly, Here detained so wrongfully, Full of anguish, faint with woe, I must, with my music, go To the cypress groves below.