StoryTitle("caps", "Old Ironsides") ?>
StoryOrigin("center", "[The following lines were called forth by a rumor that the
frigate Constitution was about to be broken up as unfit
for service.]") ?>
PoemStart() ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "Long has it waved on high,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "And many an eye has danced to see", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "That banner in the sky:", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "Beneath it rung the battle-shout,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "And burst the cannon's roar;", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "The meteor of the ocean-air", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "Shall sweep the clouds no more.", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "Where knelt the vanquished foe,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "When winds were hurrying o'er the flood,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "And waves were white below,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "No more shall feel the victor's tread,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "Or know the conquered knee;", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "The harpies of the shore shall pluck", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "The eagle of the sea.", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "Oh, better that her shattered hulk", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "Should sink beneath the wave;", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "Her thunders shook the mighty deep,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "And there should be her grave.", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "Nail to the mast her holy flag,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "Set every threadbare sail,", "") ?>
PoemLine("L0", "", "And give her to the god of storms—", "") ?>
PoemLine("L2", "", "The lightning and the gale.", "") ?>
PoemAttribution("100", SmallCapsText("—O. W. Holmes.")) ?>
PoemEnd() ?>