The Eagle Grasps

“The Eagle Grasps” There rose betwixt the turquoise seas, Two garnish’d wings of crimson pride, They bloom! Behold, what liberty! To strecth untangl’d ‘cross the sky. She did not wander, did not blanch, The eagle grasp'd with her hands, The hearts of all the world and then, Chain’d them down—to equal men. There! She glides, o, may her glide, And never thus in passing by, Let us beneath her shadow lie, Or say that freedom’s flame hath died.