Let tyrants and minions presume to despise, Encroach on our rights, and make freedom their prize; The fruits of their rapine they never shall keep, Though vengeance may nod, yet how short is her sleep! In freedom we're born, &c. The tree which proud Haman for Mordecai rear'd Stands recorded, that virtue endanger'd is spared; That rogues, whom no bounds and no laws can restrain. Must be stripp'd of their honors and humbled again. In freedom we're born, &c. Our wives and our babes, still protected, shall know, Those who dare to be free shall forever be so; On these arms and these hearts they may safely rely, For in freedom we'll live, or like heroes we'll die. In freedom we're born, &c. Ye insolent tyrants! who wish to enthrall; Ye minions, ye placemen, pimps, pensioners, all; How short is your triumph, how feeble your trust! Your honor must wither and nod to the dust. In freedom we're born, &c. When oppress'd and approach'd, our king we implore, Still firmly persuaded our rights he'll restore; When our hearts beat to arms to defend a just right, Our monarch rules there, and forbids us to fight. In freedom we're born, &c. Not the glitter of arms, nor the dread of a fray Could make us submit to their claims for a day; Withheld by affection, on Britons we call, Prevent the fierce conflict which threatens your fall. In freedom we're born, &c. All ages shall speak with amaze and applause Of the prudence we show in support of our cause; Assured of our safety, a Brunswick still reigns, Whose free loyal subjects are strangers to chains. In freedom we're born, &c. Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, To be free is to live, to be slaves is to fall; Has the land such a dastard as scorns not a lord, Who dreads not a fetter much more than a sword? In freedom we're born, &c. The song was much applauded for its spirit, and some of the young men wanted to give three more cheers, but Hand said they were already making too much noise, and their enthusiasm cooled. THE SKIRMISH AT LEXINGTON. "Now," observed Hand, "I should like to hear some account of how things went on during the war. We are all in the right mood for it." "I could talk enough to fill whole books about the war," replied Kinnison; "but I want to hear Mr. Pitts and Mr. Colson, and the rest of the old men, spend a little breath for our amusement." "Mr. Kinnison was in the fight at Lexington, and all the principal battles in the Northern States during the war. I think he could interest you more than I," said Colson. "I'll make an agreement with you," remarked Kinnison. "If I tell you all I know of that skrimmage at Lexington, one of you must follow me." The agreement was settled, and Kinnison commenced his narrative of how the first blow of the Revolution was given.