Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By TudorJenks

1296 The Spirit of the Maine

IN battle-line of sombre gray

Our ships-of-war advance,

As Red Cross Knights in holy fray

Charged with avenging lance.

And terrible shall be thy plight,

O fleet of cruel Spain!

For ever in our van doth fight

The spirit of the Maine!

As when beside Regillus Lake

The Great Twin Brethren came

A righteous fight for Rome to make

Against the Deed of Shame—

So now a ghostly ship shall doom

The fleet of treacherous Spain:

Before her guilty soul doth loom

The spirit of the Maine!

A wraith arrayed in peaceful white,

As when asleep she lay

Above the traitorous mine that night

Within Havana Bay,

She glides before the avenging fleet,

A sign of woe to Spain.

Brave though her sons, how shall they meet

The spirit of the Maine!