 | The poems of Robert Traill Spence Lowell |  |
195
THIS DAY, COUNTRYMEN.
Cowards, slink away!
But who scorns to see the foe
Deal our land all shame and woe,
Must come forth, to-day!
But who scorns to see the foe
Deal our land all shame and woe,
Must come forth, to-day!
Crops are safe, afield;
Cripples and old men can reap,
Young and strong and bold must leap
Other tools to wield.
Cripples and old men can reap,
Young and strong and bold must leap
Other tools to wield.
Cast the daily trade!
Never may be bought or won,
After this great fight is done,
What, To-day, is weighed.
Never may be bought or won,
After this great fight is done,
What, To-day, is weighed.
Leave the true-love's side!
Go, be fearless and be strong:
Woman glories to belong,
Where she looks with pride.
Go, be fearless and be strong:
Woman glories to belong,
Where she looks with pride.
196
True men hold our line:
Basely leave their true ranks thin,
Waste and ruin will rush in,
Like the trampling swine.
Basely leave their true ranks thin,
Waste and ruin will rush in,
Like the trampling swine.
Who dares be a man?
Now, for home and law and right,
Go, in God's name, to the fight!
Rescue! while we can.
Now, for home and law and right,
Go, in God's name, to the fight!
Rescue! while we can.
August 5, 1862.
| The poems of Robert Traill Spence Lowell | |