Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WHO'S READY?; JULY, 1862, by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR Poet's Biography First Line: God help us! Who's ready? There's danger before! Last Line: All forward! We're ready, and conquer we will!' Alternate Author Name(s): Dean Subject(s): American Civil War; Enemies; Freedom; Soldiers; U.s. - History; Liberty | ||||||||
GOD help us! Who's ready? There's danger before! Who's armed and who's mounted? The foe's at the door! The smoke of his cannon hangs black o'er the plain; His shouts ring exultant while counting our slain; And northward and northward he presses his line: Who's ready? Oh, forward! for yours and for mine! No halting, no discord; the moments are Fates; To shame or to glory they open the gates; There's all we hold dearest to lose or to win; The web of the future to-day we must spin; And bid the hours follow, with knell or with chime: Who's ready? Oh, forward! while yet there is time! Lead armies or councils be soldier a-field Alike, so your valor is Liberty's shield! Alike, so you strike when the bugle-notes call, For country, for fireside, for Freedom to all! The blows of the boldest will carry the day: Who's ready? Oh, forward! there's death in delay! Earth's noblest are praying, at home and o'er sea, 'God keep the great nation united and free!' Her tyrants watch, eager to leap at our life, If once we should falter or faint in the strife; Our trust is unshaken, though legions assail: Who's ready? Oh, forward! and Right shall prevail! Who's ready? 'All ready!' undaunted we cry, Our hands on our rifles, our hearts beating high; 'No traitor, at midnight, shall pierce us in rest; No alien, at noonday, shall stab us abreast; The God of our Fathers is guiding us still: All Forward! we're ready, and conquer we will!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER COLUMBUS DYING [MAY 20, 1506] by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR SA-CA-GA-WE-A; THE INDIAN GIRL WHO GUIDED LEWIS AND CLARK by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR |
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