RISE! for the day is passing, And you lie dreaming on; The others have buckled their armor, And forth to the fight are gone: A place in the ranks awaits you, Each man has some part to play; The Past and the Future are nothing, In the face of the stern To-day. Rise from your dreams of the Future, -- Of gaining some hard-fought field; Of storming some airy fortress, Or bidding some giant yield; Your Future has deeds of glory, Of honor (God grant it may!) But your arm will never be stronger, Or the need so great as To-day. Rise! if the Past detains you, Her sunshine and storms forget; No chains so unworthy to hold you As those of a vain regret: Sad or bright, she is lifeless ever; Cast her phantom arms away, Nor look back, save to learn the lesson Of a nobler strife To-day. Rise! for the day is passing; The sound that you scarcely hear Is the enemy marching to battle: -- Arise! for the foe is here! Stay not to sharpen your weapons, Or the hour will strike at last, When from dreams of a coming battle, You may wake to find it past! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONGS FOR MY MOTHER: 3. HER WORDS by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH SIR RUPERT THE FEARLESS; A LEGEND OF GERMANY by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM MAGIC TOURS by CHARLOTTE LOUISE BERTLESEN THE SEA GULL by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD CHEERFULNESS TAUGHT BY REASON by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING PENELOPE'S LOVER by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON THIS SWEET AND MERRY MONTH OF MAY by WILLIAM BYRD |