AT A DINNER TO ADMIRAL FARRAGUT

Now, smiling friends and shipmates all,

Since half our battle‘ s won,

A broadside for our Admiral!

Load every crystal gun

Stand ready till I give the word,—

You wo n't have time to tire,—

And when that glorious name is heard,

Then hip! hurrah! and fire!

Bow foremost sinks the rebel craft,—

Our eyes not sadly turn

And see the pirates huddling aft

To drop their raft astern;

Soon o'er the sea-worm's destined prey

The lifted wave shall close,—

So perish from the face of day

All Freedom's banded foes!

But ah! what splendors fire the sky

What glories greet the morn!

The storm-tost banner streams on high,

Its heavenly hues new-born!

Its red fresh dyed in heroes’ blood,

Its peaceful white more pure,

To float unstained o'er field and flood

While earth and seas endure!

All shapes before the driving blast

Must glide from mortal view;

Black roll the billows of the past

Behind the present's blue,

Fast, fast, are lessening in the light

The names of high renown,—

Van Tromp's proud besom fades from sight,

And Nelson's half hull down!

Scarce one tall frigate walks the sea

Or skirts the safer shores

Of all that bore to victory

Our stout old commodores;

Hull, Bainbridge, Porter,— where are they?

The waves their answer roll,

“Still bright in memory's sunset ray,—

God rest each gallant soul!”

A brighter name must dim their light

With more than noontide ray,

The Sea-King of the “River Fight,”

The Conqueror of the Bay,—

Now then the broadside! cheer on cheer

To greet him safe on shore!

Health, peace, and many a bloodless year

To fight his battles o'er!