[Ode, in] The two hundred and fortieth annual record of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. of Massachusetts. 1877-78 Sermon by Rev. R. Laird Collier ... of Boston, Mass |
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 | [Ode, in] The two hundred and fortieth annual record of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. of Massachusetts. 1877-78 |  |
33
ODE.
Sweet, sweet is peace! So sweet the early morn
That like a crimson wild-flower, perfume bearing,
In some gray rift of granite sky is born;
So sweet a maiden's brow, the bride-wreath wearing,
Who bends to meet the lips of him she loves.
O peace, whose voice rare music doth awaken,
More prized than pearls, gentler than shining doves,
We hold thee dear, and slow to be forsaken!
That like a crimson wild-flower, perfume bearing,
In some gray rift of granite sky is born;
So sweet a maiden's brow, the bride-wreath wearing,
Who bends to meet the lips of him she loves.
O peace, whose voice rare music doth awaken,
More prized than pearls, gentler than shining doves,
We hold thee dear, and slow to be forsaken!
Yet come the foe, quick whirl our swords with stroke
To thrust and slay! The snare-drum's hurried beating,
A fiery pulse, awakes the wide-ranked folk.
Then ancient hills, with iron-toned, fierce greeting,
The echo of artillery onward fling
To where free sea-waves make an angry thunder,
And high o'er smoking ships, on balanced wing,
The unsullied eagle watches grim, in wonder.
To thrust and slay! The snare-drum's hurried beating,
A fiery pulse, awakes the wide-ranked folk.
Then ancient hills, with iron-toned, fierce greeting,
The echo of artillery onward fling
To where free sea-waves make an angry thunder,
And high o'er smoking ships, on balanced wing,
The unsullied eagle watches grim, in wonder.
34
Ah, well we know the lurid night when dim
Our star-sown flag shone unto brave men dying,
Heroic strife, the march, the battle hymn,
The roaring shock, deep unto deep replying
With mighty voice that summoned us: “Arise,
Thank God for hearts of men with valor burning,
And the dear light that dwells in women's eyes
Who weep the dead or welcome the returning!”
Our star-sown flag shone unto brave men dying,
Heroic strife, the march, the battle hymn,
The roaring shock, deep unto deep replying
With mighty voice that summoned us: “Arise,
Thank God for hearts of men with valor burning,
And the dear light that dwells in women's eyes
Who weep the dead or welcome the returning!”
Then, peace or strife, broad calm or bursting gale,
Comrades here banded stand and meet, unbroken!
For you war's crown of flame, for you the frail,
New-budding olive, twofold worth betoken
Of mastering mankind, strong in wrath or rest.
Guards of the State, in civic rule upholding
Her honor still, proud Mistress of the West,
Guard ye her truth, in truth your hearts enfolding!
Comrades here banded stand and meet, unbroken!
For you war's crown of flame, for you the frail,
New-budding olive, twofold worth betoken
Of mastering mankind, strong in wrath or rest.
Guards of the State, in civic rule upholding
Her honor still, proud Mistress of the West,
Guard ye her truth, in truth your hearts enfolding!
As Pilgrim sires of old with roll of drum
Alike for battle or for praise were banded,
Our martial prelude leads to prayer. We come,—
Hushed now in awe the voice that late commanded,—
We come, to kneel, and pray that Heaven may keep
A nation pure, souls filled with grace supernal,
Firm hands of brotherhood, and fervor deep
To fight our fight and win the peace eternal.
Alike for battle or for praise were banded,
Our martial prelude leads to prayer. We come,—
Hushed now in awe the voice that late commanded,—
We come, to kneel, and pray that Heaven may keep
A nation pure, souls filled with grace supernal,
Firm hands of brotherhood, and fervor deep
To fight our fight and win the peace eternal.
| [Ode, in] The two hundred and fortieth annual record of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. of Massachusetts. 1877-78 | |