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Seba Smith: State

When the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress, the event was announced by ringing the old State House bell, which bore the inscription, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof!" The old bellman stationed his little grandson at the door of the hall, to await the instructions of the door-keeper when to ring. At the word, the young patriot rushed out, and clapping his hands shouted- Ring! RING! RING!"

C HERE was a tumult in the city, In the quaint old Quaker town, And the streets were rife with people Pacing restless up and down- People gathering at the corners, Where they whispered each to each, And the sweat stood on their temples With the earnestness of speech.

As the bleak Atlantic currents Lash the wild Newfoundland shore, So they beat against the State House, So they surged against the door; And the mingling of their voices Made the harmony profound, Till the quiet street of Chestnut Was all turbulent with sound. " Will they do it ?" Dare they do it "Who is speaking?" "What's the news?" "What of Adams?" "What of Sherman ?י "Oh, God grant they won't refuse!" "Make some way there!" "Let me nearer!" "I am stifling!" "Stifle, then !

When a nation's life's at hazard, We've no time to think of men!"

So they surged against the State House, While all solemnly inside, Sat the "Continental Congress," Truth and reason for their guide.

O'er a simple scroll debating, Which, though simple it might be, Yet should shake the cliffs of England With the thunders of the free.

Far aloft in that high steeple Sat the bellman, old and gray, He was weary of the tyrant And his iron-sceptered sway; So he sat, with one hand ready On the clapper of the bell, When his eye could catch the signal, The expected news to tell.

See! See! The dense crowd quivers Through all its lengthy line, As the boy beside the portal Hastens forth to give the sign!

With his little hands uplifted, Breezes dallying with his hair, Hark! with deep, clear intonation, Breaks his young voice on the air.

Hushed the people's swelling murmur, Whilst the boy cries joyously : "Ring!" he shouts, "Ring! grandpapa, Ring! oh, ring for Liberty!"

Quickly, at the given signal, The old bellman lifts his hand, Forth he sends the good news, making Iron music through the land.

How they shouted! What rejoicing!

How the old bell shook the air, Till the clang of freedom ruffled The calmly gliding Delaware!

How the bonfires and the torches Lighted up the night's repose, 66 And from the flames, like fabled Phoenix, Our glorious liberty arose !

That old State House bell is silent, Hushed is now its clamorous tongue; But the spirit it awakened Still is living-ever young; And when we greet the smiling sunlight On the Fourth of each July, We will ne'er forget the bellman Who, betwixt the earth and sky, Rung out, loudly, "Independence;" Which, please God, shall never die!

The Drummer Boy.