PART I PATRIOTISM, STORIES, POEMS OF NATURE AND COURAGE THE FLAG ARTHUR MACY Arthur Macy (1842-1904) was born at Nantucket, Mass. He served in the Civil War, was wounded at Gettysburg three times, and was there taken prisoner. As a soldier he learned what it means to march with the flag in front of him. It is not surprising, therefore, that his poem, "The Flag," is full of stirring patriotism. Here comes The Flag! Hail it! Who dares to drag Or trail it? Give it hurrahs, Three for the stars, Three for the bars. Shout at the sight of it, Here comes The Flag! Cheer it! Valley and crag Shall hear it. Fathers shall bless it, Cheers for the sailors that fought on the wave for it, Cheers for the soldiers that always were brave HAIL, COLUMBIA JOSEPH HOPKINSON Joseph Hopkinson (1770-1842) was born at Philadelphia, where he lived and died. He was a noted jurist. His father, Francis H. Hopkinson, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Judge Hopkinson wrote the song, "Hail, Columbia, '' which is one of the most beautiful of our American patriotic poems. 1 HAIL, Columbia! happy land, Hail, ye heroes, heav'n born band; Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause, Firm, united, let us be, 2 Immortal patriots, rise once more! 3 Sound, sound the trump of fame! Let Washington's great name Ring through the world with loud applause, With equal skill and Godlike pow'r, 4 Behold the chief who now commands, The rock on which the storm will beat; HELPS TO STUDY Historical: This song was written in 1798, when there was danger of a war with France. An army had been raised and Washington, though in his sixty-seventh year, was appointed to command it. Many people in the United States were eager for war, but both President Adams and Washington knew that it was extremely undesirable for the country at the time. The author of the song said that he wished to rouse an "American spirit," which should hold the country's honor above political parties or private interests. Notes and Questions Who is addressed in the first line of the poem? Who were the heroes to whom the second line is addressed? When had they fought in "Freedom's cause''? How does the author say they had won peace? Read the lines in the refrain or chorus which tell how Liberty must be protected. Whom does the author address as "Immortal patriots''? What does he call upon them to do? What "rude foe' might he have had in mind when writing the song? What does he mean by the "well earned prize" of "toil and blood''? Who had toiled for this prize? When had blood been shed for it? To whom was Columbia offering peace at this time? Read lines which show that the author believed the United States would conquer if forced into war. In whose praise was the third stanza written? "impious hand' Show how the second and third lines of this stanza have come true. Find lines in this stanza which explain the words: "First in war, first in peace." Who was the chief described in the fourth stanza? To what is he compared? What was the storm that the author expected? How is a rock affected by the storms which beat upon it? What words in this stanza show that Washington had served his country before? How had he served it? When had Washington resolved on "death or liberty''? Words and Phrases for Discussion "scheme of bondage" "trump of fame" "Godlike pow'r'' "clime to Freedom dear'' "armed in virtue' OUR COUNTRY (AUTHOR UNKNOWN) 1 Our country! 'tis a glorious land! With broad arms stretched from shore to shore, The proud Pacific chafes her strand, She hears the dark Atlantic roar; |