earliest tributes to Hale after his death. It is
thought possible, by some students of Revolutionary
history, that the lines may yet prove valuable
in throwing light upon the manner of Hale's capture
and death, as they are probably based on
accounts current at that time of which records
have not yet appeared.

_____CAPTURE AND DEATH OF NATHAN HALE_____
_____(By an unknown poet of 1776)_____

_____The breezes went steadily thro' the tall pines,
_____A-saying "oh! hu-sh!" a-saying "oh! hu-sh!"
_____As stilly stole by a bold legion of horse,
_____For Hale in the bush, for Hale in the bush.

_____"Keep still!" said the thrush as she nestled her young,
_____In a nest by the road; in a nest by the road;
_____"For the tyrants are near, and with them appear,
_____What bodes us no good, what bodes us no good."

_____The brave captain heard it, and thought of his home,
_____In a cot by the brook; in a cot by the brook.
_____With mother and sister and memories dear,
_____He so gaily forsook; he so gaily forsook.

_____Cooling shades of the night were coming apace,
_____The tattoo had beat; the tattoo had beat.
_____The noble one sprang from his dark lurking place
_____To make his retreat; to make his retreat.

[[96]]

p095 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p096w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p097

v?