TELL me what sail the seas Under the stars? Ships, and ships' companies, Off to the wars. Steel are the ship's great sides, Steel are her guns, Backward she thrusts the tides, Swiftly she runs; Steel is the sailor's heart, Stalwart his arm, His the Republic's part Through cloud and storm. Tell me what standard rare Streams from the spars? Red stripes and white they bear, Blue, with bright stars: Red for brave hearts that burn With liberty, White for the peace they earn Making men free, Stars for the Heaven above, -- Blue for the deep, Where, in their country's love, Heroes shall sleep. Tell me why on the breeze These banners blow? Ships, and ships' companies, Eagerly go Warring, like all our line, Freedom to friend Under this starry sign, True to the end. Fair is the Flag's renown, Sacred her scars, Sweet the death she shall crown Under the stars. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MODERN LOVE: 17 by GEORGE MEREDITH AFTER THE BATTLE (OF AUGHRIM) by THOMAS MOORE A QUESTION by JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE THE TENDER HUSBAND: PROLOGUE by JOSEPH ADDISON RETURN by KENNETH SLADE ALLING TO THE FONT-GEORGES by THEODORE FAULLAIN DE BANVILLE A WINTER LANDSCAPE by MATHILDE BLIND |