THE OLD STATE HOUSE.

The Old State House! Within these antique walls The early fathers of the hamlet met And gravely argued of the town's affairs. Another generation came; and in This hall the Tory Council sat in state While from the burning lips of Otis, or The stem, defiant tongue of Adams sprang That eloquence whose echoes thundered back From Concord, Lexington, and Bunker's Hill! Between those years and ours a century lies; Those patriot's graves are deep with moss and mould, And yet these walls—the same whose shadows fell Athwart the crimson snow where Preston charged3— Still cast their shadows; not on troops, nor mob Exasperated by their wrongs, but on A jostling, hurrying throng—freeman each one, Unless in bondage to himself. O Man: Pass not all heedless by, nor imprecate This aged relic of the past because It lies across thy path! From avarice Redeemed; restored unto its former self,— We hail thee, noble Sentry of the years, And greet thee with a thousand loving cheers!