Hour of steel, thou art a blessing That at last unites us all. Friend and foe, still peace caressing, Trembled in suspicion's thrall. Now comes the fight, The honest fight! Greed with blunted claw has meanly Bartered for its pomp and lust; Now we all are feeling keenly What can save our souls from dust: The hour of need, Of blessed need! Truth will blaze, through darkness smiting, Over dust and powder's smoke. Not for life we men are fighting-- Fighting till the fatal stroke: For then comes death, Divinest death! Led by faith, thy land defending, People, for thy spirit fight, Heroes' blood for honour spending! Sacrifice be our delight-- Then victory, Hail victory! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE ROCK THAT WILL BE A CORNERSTONE OF THE HOUSE by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE DYING DECADENT by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE CELLO by RICHARD WATSON GILDER THE SUICIDE by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY AFTER DEATH by FRANCES ISABEL PARNELL TO THE PENDING YEAR by WALT WHITMAN |