"Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave"

The quote is from the 3rd verse of "The Star-Spangled Banner", composed by Francis Scott Key. This stanza, typically ignored as the national anthem normally emphasizes the first stanza, shows Key's strong emotions throughout the War of 1812, specifically the Fight of Baltimore at Fort McHenry.

The phrase "Their blood has washed out their nasty footsteps' pollution" can be translated as celebrating the defeat of the British forces, who, in Key's view, were troubling American soil. "Their blood" describes the British soldiers who passed away in battle, and "rinsed" recommends that their deaths have actually purified or cleansed the land from the "contamination" or degradation caused by the invading forces' presence. This images suggests a sense of justice or magnificent retribution, as the intruders' attempts to dominate were eventually thwarted.

The second sentence, "No sanctuary could conserve the hireling and servant from the horror of flight or the gloom of the grave", further highlights the fate of the British forces. "Hireling" might refer to the mercenary soldiers Britain utilized, while "servant" may represent those persuaded or reluctantly employed. The phrase shows that neither bribery ("hireling") nor oppression ("slave") could secure them from their fate-- whether leaving in terror ("the fear of flight") or dealing with death ("the gloom of the tomb"). It conveys that those who participated in the hostility versus the U.S. discovered no safe house and eventually needed to confront alarming effects.

These lines show Key's view of American resilience and fortitude in the face of foreign dangers. They catch a moment of triumphalism and patriotic fervor, highlighting the story of success and survival versus a formidable opponent. In spite of the poem's historic context, these verses can influence more comprehensive conversations on styles of liberty, conflict, and national identity.