The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
 |
|
 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
Awful in age, with dignified applause,
Our sires imprest a reverence on our cause.
And shall I not remember words that fell,
As thus my father bade three sons farewell?
“In peace I liv'd (though stricken well with years).
To see your manhood—now a war appears—
Had not the chills of age these nerves unstrung,
Myself would go—but ye are strong and young—
Your country calls—my sons! to battle bear
An old man's blessing and a father's pray'r—
Our cause in just—to guard each sacred right,
Go, in heav'n's name, and dare the dreadful fight—
Go, act the man—from you I hope no less—
And may the Lord of Hosts protect and bless!”
Our sires imprest a reverence on our cause.
And shall I not remember words that fell,
As thus my father bade three sons farewell?
“In peace I liv'd (though stricken well with years).
To see your manhood—now a war appears—
Had not the chills of age these nerves unstrung,
Myself would go—but ye are strong and young—
Your country calls—my sons! to battle bear
An old man's blessing and a father's pray'r—
Our cause in just—to guard each sacred right,
Go, in heav'n's name, and dare the dreadful fight—
Go, act the man—from you I hope no less—
And may the Lord of Hosts protect and bless!”
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |