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THE FALL OF THE ALAMO
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Travis.

Thou hast, I ween, received sufficient proof
What spirit's power pervades my friends and me.
So go — too long already have thy feet
Disgraced, profaned this hero-hallowed soil.
Thou, Kimble, let him through the western gate
Safely depart as first with bandaged eyes,
But that the enemy may glean the sooner
Our answer to their ignominious threats,
Thou, Dickinson, have forthwith all the cannon
Upon the south-side fired against their lines,
So that their iron messengers proclaim
With thundering tone into the tyrant's ear:
Above their lives, o'er wealth and high estate,
Americans freedom and honor rate;
We are prepared for death; now storm, now rave.
The Alamo's debris shall be our grave!"

[All depart with the exception of Travis and Crockett.]

Scene XII.

Enters Major Evans.

Evans.

I hasten to report, that Santa Anna
Was spied surveying o'er the grounds, no doubt,
To mark the places where the batteries
Shall be erected to bombard the Alamo.