God of your fathers, known of old, For patience with man's swaggering line, He did not answer you when told About you and your palm and pine, Though you deployed your far-flung host And boasted that you did not boast. Though drunk with sight of power and blind, Even as you bowed your head in awe, You kicked up both your heels behind At lesser breeds without the law; Lest they forget, lest they forget, That yours was the exclusive set. We fancied heaven preferring much, Your rowdiest song, your slangiest sentence, Your honest banjo banged, to such Very recessional repentance; Now if your native land be dear, Whisper (or shout) and we shall hear. Cut down, our navies melt away. From ode and war-song fades the fire, We are a jolly sight to-day Too near to Sidon and to Tyre To make it sound so very nice To offer ancient sacrifice. Rise up and bid the trumpets blow When it is gallant to be gay, Tell the wide world it shall not know Our face until we turn to bay. Bless you, you shall be blameless yet, For God forgives and men forget. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEAR ELIZABETH: (FOR ELIZABETH DIFIORE) by KAREN SWENSON ADDRESS TO A HAGGIS by ROBERT BURNS WALDEINSAMKEIT by RALPH WALDO EMERSON AUSPEX by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL ON THE DANGER OF WAR by GEORGE MEREDITH THE ORPHAN BOY'S TALE by AMELIA OPIE |