Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR, by HENRY VAN DYKE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I have [or, there is] no joy in strife
Last Line: Unless the world is free?
Alternate Author Name(s): Civis Americanus
Subject(s): World War I; First World War


THERE is no joy in strife,
Peace is my great desire;
Yet God forbid I lose my life
Through fear to face the fire.

A peaceful man must fight
For that which peace demands,—
Freedom and faith, honor and right,
Defend with heart and hands.

Farewell, my friendly books;
Farewell, ye woods and streams;
The fate that calls me forward looks
To a duty beyond dreams.

Oh, better to be dead
With a face turned to the sky,
Than live beneath a slavish dread
And serve a giant lie.

Stand up, my heart, and strive
For the things most dear to thee!
Why should we care to be alive
Unless the world is free?





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