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 won'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!