Stands behind the old arm-chair, With his dark-hued hand uplifted, Shading eyes he bends to see Where the woodland boldly jutting Turns aside the Tennessee.

Thus he watches cloud-born shadows
Glide from tree to mountain crest,
Softly creeping, aye and ever,

To the river's yielding breast.
Ha! above the foliage yonder
Something flutters wild and free!
"Massa! Massa! Hallelujah!

The flag's come back to Tennessee!

"Pompey hold me on your shoulder, Help me stand on foot once more, That I may salute the colors

As they pass my cabin-door.

Here's the paper signed that frees you;
Give a freeman's shout with me -
'God and Union!' be our watchword
Evermore in Tennessee."

Then the trembling voice grew fainter,
And the limbs refused to stand;
One prayer to Jesus - and the soldier
Glided to that better land.

When the flag went down the river
Man and master both were free,
While the ringdove's note was mingled
With the rippling Tennessee.

E. L. Beers.

CCCXXIX.

A BATTLE-SONG FOR FREEDOM.

MEN of action! men of might!

Stern defenders of the right!

Are you girded for the fight?

Have you marked and trenched the ground,
Where the din of arms must sound,

Ere the victor can be crowned ?

From your hearths, and homes, and altars,
Backward hurl your proud assaulters.
He is not a man that falters.

Hush! The hour of fate is nigh,
On the help of God rely!

Forward! We will do or die.

G. Hamillon

With one heart and with one mouth,
Let the North speak to the South;
Speak the word befitting both.

J. G. Whittier.

CCCXXXI.

THE WATCHERS.

ESIDE a stricken field I stood;

BESIDE

On the torn turf, on grass and wood,

Hung heavily the dew of blood.

Still in their fresh mounds lay the slain,
But all the air was quick with pain
And gusty sighs and tearful rain.

Two angels, each with drooping head
And folded wings and noiseless tread,
Watched by that valley of the dead.

The one with forehead saintly bland
And lips of blessing, not command,
Leaned, weeping, on her olive wand.

The other's brows were scarred and knit,
His restless eyes were watch-fires lit,
His hands for battle-gauntlets fit.

"How long!" I knew the voice of Peace, -
"Is there no respite? — no release?
When shall the hopeless quarrel cease?

"O Lord, how long! - One human soul Is more than any parchment scroll,

Or any flag thy winds unroll.

"What price was Ellsworth's, young and brave?

How weigh the gift that Lyon gave,

Or count the cost of Winthrop's grave?

"O brother! if thine eye can see,
Tell me how and when the end shall be,
What hope remains for thee and me."

Then Freedom sternly said: "I shun
No strife nor pang beneath the sun,
When human rights are staked and won.

"I knelt with Ziska's hunted flock,
I watched in Toussaint's cell of rock,
I walked with Sidney to the block.

"The Moor of Marston felt my tread, Through Jersey snows the march I led, My voice Magenta's charges sped.

"But now, through weary day and night,
I watch a vague and aimless fight
For leave to strike one blow aright.

"On either side my foe they own: One guards through love his ghastly throne, And one through fear to reverence grown.

"Why wait we longer, mocked, betrayed, By open foes, or those afraid

To speed thy coming through my aid?

"Nay," Peace implored: "yet longer wait;

The doom is near, the stake is great;

God knoweth if it be too late.

“Still wait and watch; the way prepare Where I with folded wings of prayer May follow, weaponless and bare."