ROBERT GOULD SHAW
(THE MONUMENT BY AUGUSTUS SAINT-GAUDENS)
I
Fixt in one desire,
Thrilled by one fierce fire,
Marching men and horse,
And he the youthful rider—one soul, one aim, one force.
II
Onward he doth press;
Moving, tho' motionless;
Resolute, intent,
As on some mighty errand the willing youth were bent.
III
Onward, tho' he hears
Father's, sisters' tears;
Onward, tho' before him
—Grief more near, more dear—the breaking heart that bore him.
IV
Onward, tho' he leaves
One who lonely grieves;
O, keep him, Fate! from harm.
For on his dewy lips the bridal kiss is warm.
V
What doth he behold
Making the boy so bold?
Speak with whispering breath!
O Fate, O Fame, O radiant soul in love with glorious Death!
VI
Eyes that forward peer—
Why have they no fear?
Because, through blood and blight,
They see the golden morning burst and bring the living light;
VII
See War the fetters strike
From white and black alike;
See, past the pain and scorn,
A nation saved, a race redeemed, and freedom newly born;
VIII
See, in days to come,—
When silent War's loud drum,
Ere civic wrong shall cease,—
Heroes as pure and brave arise on battlefields of peace.
