Pro patria : verses chiefly patriotic / Clinton Scollard [electronic text]

THE BELLS OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

What is it throbs adown the night With golden falls and silvery swells? From placid plain and slope and height It is the pæan of the bells;

It is the echo of the note (Hearken the vibrant midnight chime!) From one now memorable throat Of Revolutionary time.

"Freedom!" — the sound assailed the sky; It filled, it thrilled the souls of men On that far day of red July Within the ancient home of Penn.

Then Might engirt our struggling sires; Before it did they falter? nay! For Right they lit their beacon fires On windy hill, by wide sea-bay.

And on through sanguinary years, Spurred by the bell's exultant peal, Freely they shed their blood and tears To win and weld the Commonweal.

Not now, as then, do foes without With ravin menace us and wrath; Not now, as then, does ogre Doubt Threat the fair promise of our path.

Sea-girt, embattled, and secure, The rise and set of sun we face; If we but hold our purpose pure, Who shall surpass us in the race?

If we but heed the bells! —their tale Of how our fathers made us free,— Then shall no human power avail To darken our high destiny!