Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917.
The Stamp Act in New York, 1765 (abridged)George Lansing Raymond
T
Should rule the colony,
We slept not much; we melted lead;
We whetted steel; we plann’d ahead,
We “Sons of Liberty.”
On every hill and plain,
In all the towns, we toll’d the bells,
That all began with doleful knells,
As though for Freedom slain.
What might have peal’d to be
The land’s alarm-bell—only now
They peal’d to hail the new-born vow
Of men that would be free.
Men flooded every way:
They left their shops; they stopt their mills;
And farmers flock’d from all the hills,
And sailors from the bay.
Was ask’d in all the ways,
But not a shop was not shut to;
For all had wiser work to do
On this, our day of days.
Submit,” said Isaac Sears.
The governor said: “You fill the street,
But here a fort and there a fleet
May yet awake your fears.”
Were turn’d upon the town,
But “If you fire,” the people cried,
“We hang the governor here outside,
Or burn your quarters down.”
Came trooping out for sport.
They sought the house of James, and took
The army flags his fear forsook,
And march’d them round the fort.
And one a coach of state.
They burst his barn-door in with cries
And dragg’d them off before his eyes,
As trophies of their hate.
And of the governor too
They made, and made them both careen,
While, side by side, through Bowling Green,
They wheel’d them into view.
They form’d a funeral pyre;
And, full in face of all the town,
Who only roar’d its roar to drown,
They set the whole on fire.
The army begg’d the fleet,
To take the stamps and save the fort;
But neither cared to brave the sport
Of those who fill’d the street.
Had bow’d to wisdom higher;
The power of right that ruled the street
Had overawed the fort and fleet—
They did not dare to fire.
Except to yield us all.
Our mayor took the stamps, at last,
And bore them off, and lock’d them fast
Within the City Hall.
They felt that right was done;
Cried “Liberty and Property!
No stamps to curse the Colony!”
And parted, one by one.
Without the stamps appear’d.
Men took no notes, but trusted men.
Our ships were off to sea again;
And none the navy fear’d.
Or seal’d himself a slave;
And half of England, trust my word,
Were thrill’d with joy, when they had heard
How we ourselves could save.
When all the thankful kneel’d;
And bells were rung, and banners hung;
And England’s weal was drunk and sung—
The Stamp Act was repeal’d.