country. Its great size, breadth of wings, wonderful flights 

 and power of endurance give it a majesty unequaled 

 among birds. It is not surprising, therefore, that our fore- 

 fathers selected it as the emblem of the nation. 



Joseph Rodman Drake has exalted the national symbolism 

 of this bird in the opening verses of his "Ode to the American 



Flag." 



When Freedom from her mountain height, 



Unfurled her standard to the air, 

 She tore the azure robe of night, 



And set the stars of glory there; 

 She mingled with its gorgeous dyes 

 The milky baldric of the skies, 

 And striped its pure celestial white 

 With streakings of the morning light; 

 Then from his mansion in the sun, 

 She call'd her eagle-bearer down. 

 And gave into his mighty han.d 

 The symbol of her chosen land.* 



Majestic monarch of the cloud, 



Who rear'st aloft thy regal form, 

 To hear the tempest-trumpings loud, 

 And see the lightning lances driven. 



When strive the warriors of the storm. 

 And rolls the thunder drum of heaven — 

 Child of the sun ! to thee 'tis given 



To guard the banner of the free. 

 To hover in the sulphur smoke. 

 To ward away the battle-stroke, 



And bid its blendings shine afar, 



Like rainbows on the cloud of war, 

 The harbingers of victory ! 



*The Bhteld, having upon it the armorial bearings of the United States, is borne on ttie breast 

 of an American Eagle. See quarter and balf dollar. 



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