These flags of armies overthrown -- Flags fallen beneath the sovereign one In end foredoomed which closes war; We here, the captors, lay before The altar which of right claims all -- Our Country. And as freely we, Revering ever her sacred call, Could lay our lives down -- though life be Thrice loved and precious to the sense Of such as reap the recompense Of life imperiled for just cause -- Imperiled, and yet preserved; While comrades, whom Duty as strongly nerved, Whose wives were all as dear, lie low. But these flags given, glad we go To waiting homes with vindicated laws. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LACK OF STEADFASTNESS; BALLAD by GEOFFREY CHAUCER TO ROSAMONDE: A BALADE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER MOONLIT APPLES by JOHN DRINKWATER THE OLD CLOCK ON THE STAIRS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SONNETS TO LAURA IN LIFE: 109 by PETRARCH ON A PIECE OF TAPESTRY by GEORGE SANTAYANA |