Behold the chief who now commands, Firm, united, let us be, Peace and safety we shall find. FRANCIS SCOTT KEY 1779-1843 5 10 KEY was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and was educated at St. John's College, Annapolis. When the British bombarded Fort McHenry at Baltimore, in 1814, Key was with the British fleet, having gone there to secure the release of a friend who was held prisoner. All night he watched the battle. When he saw the American flag still afloat the next morning, he sat down and wrote The Star-Spangled Banner, one of the most popular of American patriotic songs. A volume of Key's poems was published at Baltimore in 1859, with an introductory letter by his brother-in-law, Chief Justice Taney. The volume consists largely of occasional pieces that were not originally intended for publication. They add little or nothing to his fame. The greater part of his life was given to the practice of law in Washington. THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER O SAY, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming – 15 Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the clouds of the fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming! On that shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep, As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses? 5 10 And where is that band who so vauntingly swore A home and a country should leave us no more? That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave; O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! 3309 25 20 15 CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE 1779-1863 THE author of A Visit from St. Nicholas, a household favorite, was born in New York city and educated at Columbia College. For many years he held a professorship in the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. A collection of his verse was published in 1844, but he is remembered now almost solely by this Christmas piece, with its brisk movement and cheery temper. It was written for his children at Christmas, and was sent without his knowledge to a newspaper, where it appeared anonymously. A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! 5 ΤΟ 15 20 On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen ! 5 10 15 20 25 A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose ;) 30 35 JOHN PIERPONT 1785-1866 PIERPONT was born at Litchfield, Connecticut. After being graduated from Yale, he was successively a teacher, a business man, a lawyer, and finally a Unitarian minister. For twenty-six years he was pastor of the Hollis Street Church, Boston, and was an ardent supporter of the abolition movement a movement very active in the neighborhood of his church. At the age of seventy-six he volunteered as a chaplain in the Civil War, but his age and bodily infirmities prevented much active service. He was appointed to a clerkship in the government service at Washington, a position which he held until his death. THE EXILE AT REST His falchion flashed along the Nile; |