HUNT'S POINT 95 



The upper chambers are reached by a narrow but substantial 

 stairway. The tower, which gives the house the appearance of a 

 fort, is reached by a spiral stairway from the living room. It is 

 so narrow that only one person at a time can ascend it. This was 

 apparently so constructed as a safeguard in emergency, should 

 admittance be gained within the house by the wily Indians who 

 frequently made attacks upon it. 



For many years the "Grange" was the residence of Joseph 

 Rodman Drake, the poet who won immortal fame as the author of 

 "The American Flag" and "Culprit Fay." It was this gifted 

 young poet who celebrated the rural beauties of The Bronx in some 

 of his most charming verse : 



The Bronx 



I sat me down upon a green bank side, 



Skirting the smooth edge of a gentle river, 

 Whose waters seemed unwilling to glide, 



Like parting friends, who linger while they sever; 

 Enforced to go, yet seeming still unready, 

 Backward they wind their way in many a wistful eddy. 



Gray o'er my head the yellow-vested willow 



Ruffled its hoary top in the fresh breezes, 

 Glancing in light, like spray on a green billow, 



Or the fine frost work which young winter freezes, 

 When first his power in infant pastime trying, 

 Congeals sad autumn's tears on the dead branches lying. 



From rocks around hung the loose ivy dangling, 



And in the clefts sumach of liveliest green, 

 Bright rising-stars the little beach was spangling, 

 The gold-cap sorrel from his gauzy screen, 

 Shone like a fairy, enchased and beaded, 

 Left on some morn, when light fiash'd in their eyes unheeded. 



The hum-bird shook his sun-touched wings around, 



The blue-finch carolled in the still retreat; 

 The antic squirrel capered on the ground, 

 Where lichens made a carpet for his feet. 

 Thro' the transparent waves, the ruddy minkle 

 Shot up in glimmering sparks, his red fins tiny twinkle. 



