76 A PEEP AT 



Sacred to Liberty and the Rights of Mankind! 



The freedom and independence of America, 



Scaled and defended with the blood of her song. 



This monument is erected 



By the inhabitants of Lexington, 



Under the patronage and at the expense of 



The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 



To the memory of their fellow-citizens, 



Ensign Robert Monroe, Messrs Jonas Parker, 



Samuel Iladley, Jonathan Harrington, Jim., 



Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington, and John Brown, 



Of Lexington, and Ashael Porter, of Wobura, 



Who fell on this field, the first victims to the 



Sword of British tyranny and oppression, 



On the ever memorable 



Nineteenth of April, An. Dom. 1775. 



The die was cast ! 



The blood of these martyrs, 



In the cause of God and their country, 



Was the cement of the Union of these States, then 



Colonies, and gave the spring to the spirit, firmness 



And resolution of their fellow-citizens. 



They rose as one man to revenge their brethren's 



Blood, and at the point of the sword to assist and 



Defend their native rights. 



They nobly dared to be free ! 



The contest was long, bloody and affecting. 



Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal ; 



Victory crowned their arms ; 



And the peace, liberty, and independence of the 



United States of America was their glorious reward. 



Built the year 1799. 



