Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LAST CHARGE, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LAST CHARGE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now, men of the north! Will you join in the strife
Last Line: His sceptre once broken, the world is our own!
Subject(s): American Civil War; United States - History


Now, men of the North! will you join in the strife
For country, for freedom, for honor, for life?
The giant grows blind in his fury and spite, --
One blow on his forehead will settle the fight!

Flash full in his eyes the blue lightning of steel,
And stun him with cannon-bolts, peal upon peal!
Mount, troopers, and follow your game to its lair,
As the hound tracks the wolf and the beagle the hare!

Blow, trumpets, your summons, till sluggards awake!
Beat, drums, till the roofs of the fainthearted shake!
Yet, yet, ere the signet is stamped on the scroll,
Their names may be traced on the bloodsprinkled roll!

Trust not the false herald that painted your shield:
True honor to-day must be sought on the field!
Her scutcheon shows white with a blazon of red, --
The life-drops of crimson for liberty shed!

The hour is at hand, and the moment draws night;
The dog-star of treason grows dim in the sky;
Shine forth from the battle-cloud, light of the morn,
Call back the bright hour when the Nation was born!

The rivers of peace through our valleys shall run,
As the glaciers of tyranny melt in the sun;
Smite, smite the proud parricide down from his throne, --
His sceptre once broken, the world is our own!





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