19. What in Blossom's speech probably caught Mr. Lincoln's attention? 20. Was Blossom naturally timid or bold? 21. How do you account for her walking right up to Mr. Lincoln as she did? 22. What did he probably write when he had read Bennie's letter? 23. What do you think of Mr. Lincoln's judgment as to the value of Bennie's life? 24. What made it valuable? 25. What was the significance of putting a strap upon Bennie's shoulder? ADDITIONAL READINGS FINCH: Nathan Hale. WHITMAN: O Captain! My Captain! LOWELL: Commemoration Ode. HEMANS: Casabianca. SARGENT: Regulus Before the Roman Senate. KELLOGG: The Return of Regulus. Robert Emmet's Speech. ROSE HARDWICK THORPE: The Soldier's Reprieve. BROWNING: The Patriot. Incident of a French Camp. ACTION Better to stem with heart and hand -John Greenleaf Whittier. SONG OF MARION'S MEN HE author has given us, in this poem, the THE spirit of enthusiasm for a great leader as that leader led his men to resist the British forces during the Revolutionary War. Francis Marion, a native of the colony of South Carolina, came of adventurous French stock and early became an adventurer and Indian fighter. In 1775 he was elected a member of the South Carolina Provincial Congress which adopted the Bill of Rights and voted money for troops to resist Great Britain. He was first chosen captain of a company of state troops, and was rapidly promoted to the position of major, then to that of lieutenant-colonel, and finally raised to the rank of brigadier-general. As brigadier-general, in those dark days of 1780 and following, when the British forces had apparently subdued the South, Marion raised and maintained a band of patriots. Beginning with less than twenty trusted patriots, he gathered about him fearless riders, expert marksmen, and dauntless adventurers, who formed the famous "Marion's Brigade." The soldiers of the band lived quietly on their farms or rallied against the foe at the word of their leader. Sometimes they fled to the swamps or forests and sallied forth from ambush to put to rout the surprised British soldiers. The British sent a special detachment to capture Marion dead or alive. Colonel Tarleton who went with an ample force to capture the "Outlaw," returned after a vain pursuit and named Marion the "Swamp Fox." Marion's methods were those of the outlaw but he was a true patriot leader. He was a man of attractive personality, slight figure, capable of great endurance, and accustomed to abstinence. As a leader he was admired and beloved by all who caught the enthusiasm of his dauntless spirit. This poem sets forth the spirit of the heroic band, shows that this spirit was a purely patriotic one, and gives us the wild, free breath of those stirring revolutionary days. SONG OF MARION'S MEN* Our band is few, but true and tried, Our leader frank and bold; The British soldier trembles When Marion's name is told. Our fortress is the good greenwood, Our tent the cypress tree; We know the forest round us *Reprinted from Bryant's Complete Poetical Works, by permis sion of D. Appleton & Co. As seamen know the sea; We know its walls of thorny vines, Its glades of reedy grass, Its safe and silent islands Woe to the English soldiery A mighty host behind, And hear the tramp of thousands Upon the hollow wind. Then sweet the hour that brings release From danger and from toil; We talk the battle over, And share the battle's spoil. The woodland rings with laugh and shout, As if a hunt were up, And woodland flowers are gathered To crown the soldier's cup. With merry songs we mock the wind That in the pine-top grieves, And slumber long and sweetly On beds of oaken leaves. Well knows the fair and friendly moon The glitter of their rifles, The scampering of their steeds. Before the peep of day. Grave men there are by broad Santee Grave men with hoary hairs; Their hearts are all with Marion, With smiles like those of summer, Till we have driven the Briton Forever from our shore. -William Cullen Bryant. |