July Fourth.

    Hail, glorious morning of Columbia's birth,
        Celestial dawn of freedom! There shall be
    In recognition of thy wondrous worth
        By mighty millions this side of the sea,
        Triumphant crowns of laurel wreathed for thee!
    Welcome thy mammoth pageants, welcome all
        The choral songs and melodies of glee,
    The swelling shouts of praise that gladly fall
    From mighty multitudes in anthems national!

    High hangs the sacred banner, and the stars
        Dance in the sunshine, while the breezes play
    Around the glory of the hallowed bars
        Gleaming in white and crimson; music gay
        Floats from the patriot host and cheers array
    Great shouts around its foldings. Long in state,
        Flag of the brave and free, wave o'er this day
    To bring the world rejoicings which await
    The natal hours of might, the day we celebrate!

    How fears the tyrant in his capital,
        As myriad wires throb with the nation's tale!
    How despot trembles in his castled hall,
        When liberty's wild shouts of power prevail,
        And give their gladness unto every gale!
    Fetters and chains dissolve in holy trust,
        Scepters and swords in puny weakness fail,
    While crowns and thrones make monumental dust,
    And kingly Might is dead, Oppression downward thrust.

    Wide float thy wondrous pæans; loudly range
        Thy songs of holy rapture; and the roars
    Of deep-mouthed cannons echo wild and strange
        Through shouting cities; Patriotism pours
        Her full libations on the trembling shores,
    Till earth reels with her triumph; and the voice
        Of millions mad with merriment far soars
    From sea to ocean with entrancing noise,
    Till nations hear the cry and continents rejoice.

    Wave on, thou flag of freedom, and this day
        Still live in hearts of nations! O, thou Land,
    Where Man was first the monarch, where the sway
        Of birth exalted first was broken, stand
        To guard the helpless with a mighty hand,
    And give the weak protection; scout the ban
        Which tyrants utter, and with growing band
    Of noble freemen serve thy primal plan,
    And bind all nations in the Brotherhood of Man!