Who said that his body should bear A leaden pellet as its share And tumble to the clods A temple built from a worshiped frame That had Mother for its name? In defense of country life and trade Use gun and bomb and bayonet blade, Where Judgment does not lapse; The aim is true, the thrust is strong, But death results, and that is wrong. The young when ripe to face the sun Are buoyed by life that has begun Its myriad unfoldings; One is to keep the coursing stream Arush to fulfill their fondest dream. The trust of nations only can Halt the martial step of man And still the rolling drum; Yea, fold the uniform away -- It has outlived a gruesome day! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT SAGAMORE HILL by EDGAR LEE MASTERS CELSUS AT HADRIAN'S VILLA by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SELF-DEPENDENCE by MATTHEW ARNOLD SONNET TO HIS FRIEND R.L. IN PRAISE OF MUSIQUE AND POETRIE by RICHARD BARNFIELD ROBIN REDBREAST by GEORGE WASHINGTON DOANE MILES KEOGH'S HORSE by JOHN MILTON HAY THE BABY, FR. AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND by GEORGE MACDONALD |