The lighted eagles, through the night

The lighted eagles, through the night, Looked down like constellations bright; The rockets, whizzing to and fro, Lit up the slumbering town below; While, towering there with eyes of fire, As when he made his foes retire, Above all emblems duly raised, The Father of his Country blazed.

But ere the Brownies' large supply Had gone to light the summer sky, Some plasters would have served the band Much better than the goods on hand; For there were cases all about Where Brownies thought the fuse was out, Till with a sudden fizz and flare It caught the jokers unaware.

At times, in spite of warning cries, Some proved too slow at closing eyes; Some ears were stunned, some noses got Too close to something quick and hot, And fingers bore for days and weeks The trace of hasty powder's freaks.

Some dodging 'round would get a share Of splendor meant for upper air, And with a black or speckled face They ran about from place to place, To find new dangers blaze and burn On every side where'er they'd turn.

But few were there who felt afraid Of bursting bomb or fusillade, And to the prize they'd stick and hang Until it vanished with a "bang," Or darting upward seemed to fly On special business to the sky.