Page:Republican Court by Rufus Griswold.djvu/157

the bridge across the Assumpiuk, which flows through the town into the Delaware — the same bridge across which he had retreated before the army of Cornwallis on the eve of the battle of Princeton — a triumphal arch, twenty feet high, and supported by thirteen pillars, twined with evergreens and laurel, had been erected, solely by the contributions and under the directions of the women of the city. On the side toward the approaching hero was inscribed:

THE DEFENDER OF THE MOTHERS WILL BE THE PROTECTOR OF THE DAUGHTERS.

Over the centre of the arch was a cupola on which were the dates of his glorious actions at Trenton, in letters of gold, wreathed with flowers, and from its summit was displayed a large sunflower, to indicate that it was to him alone these demonstrations were offered, that the whole people were as one in their homage to his greatness. A numerous train of mothers, leading their daughters, all dressed in white, was assembled under and on each side of the arch, and as he passed, thirteen young girls, wearing wreaths of flowers on their heads, and holding baskets of flowers in their hands, sung the following little ode, written for the occasion, by Major Howell, who had been an officer under him during the war:

Welcome, mighty chief, once more Welcome to this grateful shore; Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow — Aims at thee the fatal blow.

Virgins fair and matrons grave, Those thy conquering arm did save, Build for thee triumphal bowers; Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers! Strew your hero's way with flowers!

and suiting their action to the words, they threw their flowers in