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And, as his springing steps advance,

Catch war and vengeance from the glance;
And when the cannon's mouthings loud
Heave in wild wreaths the battle shroud,
And gory sabres rise and fall,

Like shoots of flame on midnight's pall;
Then shall thy meteor glances glow,

And cowering foes shall shrink beneath
Each gallant arm that strikes below
That lovely messenger of death.

Flag of the seas! on ocean wave
Thy stars shall glitter o'er the brave,
When death, careering on the gale,
Sweeps darkly round the bellied sail,
And frightened waves rush wildly back,
Before the broadside's reeling rack,

Each dying wanderer of the sea,

Shall look at once to heaven and thee,
And smile to see thy splendor fly,

In triumph o'er his closing eye.

Flag of the free, heart's hope and home !
By angel hands to valor given;

Thy stars have lit the welkin dome,

And all thy hues were born in heaven!

Forever float that standard sheet !

Where breathes the foe but falls before us?

With Freedom's soil beneath our feet,

And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us?

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