The Hero

Ye festive throngs who here are seen
Let Washington be now your theme
That Son of Mars with courage bold
By whom we Independence hold
Whose easy nature ever taught
Whose noble soul was ever fraught
With courage bold.

Proud Albions sons with lofty sway
Thinking to take our rights away
With Bombshell and land cannon roar
They landed on our peacefull shore
Exulting in the prospect gay
Of conquering great America
Without control

Ye hardy Sons of Liberty
Your Hero at the head we see
March out to meet those British boys
To know the reason of their noise
Those British Lions hideous roar
Salute our Hero on the shore
With Lofty scorn

Come on my friends you generous few
Resolved on Death or pierce them through
Let Liberty that jewel bright
Excite your courage to the fight
As if one soul had moov’d them all
They nobly answered we will fall
Or rise like Men

The Eagle with her Olive Branch
with Arrows keen & courage staunch
Our Hero now to them displays
How choose you War or Peace he says
War war they Cry.d. Huzza for War.
Now take your choice with many a scar
your just Reward.

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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This poem by Consider Dickinson (1761-1854) of Deerfield, Massachusetts, expressed the admiration verging on reverence that Americans felt toward George Washington. Washington's military and political leadership transformed him into a living icon for the young nation. His decision to resign from the army and return to private life after the Revolutionary War rather than attempting to become an American Caesar earned Washington the love and respect of his countrymen. They universally mourned his death in 1799.

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