| Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912. |
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| Oliver Wendell Holmes. 1809–1894 |
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| 106. Under the Washington Elm, Cambridge |
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| April 27, 1861 |
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| EIGHTY years have passed, and more, | |
| Since under the brave old tree | |
| Our fathers gathered in arms, and swore | |
| They would follow the sign their banners bore, | |
| And fight till the land was free. | 5 |
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| Half of their work was done, | |
| Half is left to do,— | |
| Cambridge, and Concord, and Lexington! | |
| When the battle is fought and won, | |
| What shall be told of you? | 10 |
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| Hark!—'t is the south-wind moans,— | |
| Who are the martyrs down? | |
| Ah, the marrow was true in your children's bones | |
| That sprinkled with blood the cursed stones | |
| Of the murder-haunted town! | 15 |
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| What if the storm-clouds blow? | |
| What if the green leaves fall? | |
| Better the crashing tempest's throe | |
| Than the army of worms that gnawed below; | |
| Trample them one and all! | 20 |
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| Then, when the battle is won, | |
| And the land from traitors free, | |
| Our children shall tell of the strife begun | |
| When Liberty's second April sun | |
| Was bright on our brave old tree! | 25 |
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