< Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu
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Leaves of Grass.
11. Retreat then! Pell-mell!
- Back to your graves! Back to the hills, old limpers!
- I do not think you belong here, anyhow.
12. But there is one thing that belongs here—shall I tell you what it is, gentlemen of Boston?
13. I will whisper it to the Mayor—he shall send a committee to England,
- They shall get a grant from the Parliament, go with a cart to the royal vault—haste!
- Dig out King George's coffin, unwrap him quick from the grave-clothes, box up his bones for a journey,
- Find a swift Yankee clipper—here is freight for you, black-bellied clipper,
- Up with your anchor! shake out your sails! steer straight toward Boston bay.
14. Now call for the President's marshal again, bring out the government cannon,
- Fetch home the roarers from Congress, make another procession, guard it with foot and dragoons.
15. This centre-piece for them:
- Look! all orderly citizens—look from the windows, women!
16. The committee open the box, set up the regal ribs, glue those that will not stay,
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