They tied up the watchmen and took the rifle-works. Then John Brown sent a raiding party away To fetch in Colonel Washington from his farm. The Colonel was George Washington’s great-grand-nephew, Slave-owner, gentleman-farmer, but, more than these, Possessor of a certain fabulous sword Given to Washington by Frederick the Great. They captured him and his sword and brought them along Processionally. The act has a touch of drama, Half costume-romance, half unmerited farce. On the way, they told the Washington slaves they were free, Or free to fight for their freedom. The slaves heard the news With the dazed, scared eyes of cattle before a storm. A few came back with the band and were given pikes, And, when John Brown was watching, pretended to mount A slipshod guard over the prisoners. But, when he had walked away, they put down their pikes And huddled together, talking in mourning voices. It didn’t seem right to play at guarding the Colonel But they were afraid of the bearded patriarch With the Old Testament eyes.