New Castle, historic and picturesque . , Because who tell it do believe it true. Three English ships lay under Appledore, And men iu groups stood on the rocks, intent If they the fort could mean to cannonade. Or land along the coast and inland march To sack and burn the wealthy Portsmouth Town. The morning dawned and twice again it dawned, And still the hostile ships at anchor swung; But now a rumor ran they meant to land; At once brave Walbach was resolved to build A tower which all the beaches should command, And mount thereon his sole tremendous gun. He summoned all the villagers at dusk Of
New Castle, historic and picturesque . , Because who tell it do believe it true. Three English ships lay under Appledore, And men iu groups stood on the rocks, intent If they the fort could mean to cannonade. Or land along the coast and inland march To sack and burn the wealthy Portsmouth Town. The morning dawned and twice again it dawned, And still the hostile ships at anchor swung; But now a rumor ran they meant to land; At once brave Walbach was resolved to build A tower which all the beaches should command, And mount thereon his sole tremendous gun. He summoned all the villagers at dusk Of one September Sunday when the days Are shortening, and the nights are bright and cool. Men came and boys, and with them women came. Whose dauntless mothers helped our fathers win, la that rebellious time against the king, The freedom which, forgetful of its cost, We toss to any hand raised oer the crowd, And pushing hardest, or with loudest voice. They wrought as never men and women wrought, And in one night the Tower completed HISTORIC AND PICTUBESQUE 27 But lo, the ! for Unseen hands Alternate witli the masons dextrous craft, As voice repeats and catches up the voice In song, laid on the workmens every course Another course, and they no presence saw, But thought they heard the chiming trowels ring. The morning glimmer showed that labor done For which two nights were counted scarce enough; Then well their awed hut joyful hearts confessed Some present deity their champion friend, To whom they knelt upon the dewy grass, As in the east, the sun returning, built A tower of gold along the ocean floor, And offered up subdued and grateful praise. The hateful ships approached the river mouth. Stood off and on and tacked about; at last. Firing a gun lo stem, they sailed away. Still stands the Tower, long may it stand, disused! Without a blow, one foe it put to flight; And when another comes it will arise And in its ruins keep its legend good. For while I told this tale
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