Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | III. War | | Warren’s Address | | John Pierpont (1785–1866) |
| | | STAND! 1 the ground ’s your own, my braves! | |
| Will ye give it up to slaves? | |
| Will ye look for greener graves? | |
| Hope ye mercy still? | |
| What ’s the mercy despots feel? | 5 |
| Hear it in that battle-peal! | |
| Read it on yon bristling steel! | |
| Ask it,—ye who will. | |
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| Fear ye foes who kill for hire? | |
| Will ye to your homes retire? | 10 |
| Look behind you!—they ’re afire! | |
| And, before you, see | |
| Who have done it! From the vale | |
| On they come!—and will ye quail? | |
| Leaden rain and iron hail | 15 |
| Let their welcome be! | |
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| In the God of battles trust! | |
| Die we may,—and die we must: | |
| But, O, where can dust to dust | |
| Be consigned so well, | 20 |
| As where heaven its dews shall shed | |
| On the martyred patriot’s bed, | |
| And the rocks shall raise their head, | |
| Of his deeds to tell? | |
| | | Note 1. General Joseph Warren, who fell at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. [back] | | |
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