WHO would be free himself must strike The liberating blow; This truth our fathers felt and rose In might against their foe; For this their blood besprent the corn And stained the winter snow. For not full-armed from Jovian head Did Freedom's person spring, Nor did the clouds let fall the stone That shotted David's sling; The sons of men must save themselves When war's alarums ring. Each man who would his home defend, Who would his rights maintain, And see his country wear no yoke, His children wear no chain, Must have a purpose in his heart, A vision in his brain. Must have a helmet for his head, A halberd for his hand, And be prepared to give or take The order of command: The warders may not leave the walls If Freedom's bastions stand. Each generation Freedom's creed Must be with harshness taught, And freemen warned that all they have And are was dearly bought; And oft must Lexington be roused And Concord's fight be fought. Do Liberty's inspiring strains Within our souls resound? Shall we forsake the seas we sailed Before the Hun was crowned, And feebly plead for peace when peace May not on earth be found? No; no; I see ten thousand men From hill and valley start, From forest, farm and factory, From mansion-house and mart; Vermont as in the glorious past Will do her glorious part. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHEN I'M KILLED by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES PERIMEDES, THE BLACKSMITH: PHILLIS AND CORIDON by ROBERT GREENE THE LITTLE GHOST by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 71. THE CHOICE (1) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 49. AL-MAJID by EDWIN ARNOLD THE RIVER STOUR by WILLIAM BARNES |