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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY (WRITTEN IN THE WORLD WAR) by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS

First Line: FAIR WITH THE BEAUTY OF HEAVEN ON EARTH
Last Line: DARE TO BE FREE FOR THE FREEDOM OF ALL.
Subject(s): PATRIOTISM; WORLD WAR I; FIRST WORLD WAR;

Fair with the beauty of heaven on earth,
Noble with honor's immutable worth, --
Other lands also are noble and fair,
Slaughter and ruin are ravaging there:
Country, my country, give ear to the call,
Guarding the beauty and honor of all.

Rich with the store of a bountiful soil,
Laden with fruit of invincible toil, --
Wealth of the world is in peril to-day,
Riches of ages are lost in the fray:
Country, my country, obeying the call,
Lavish your wealth in the service of all.

Strong with a young and exhilarant power,
Brave in the dark of a desperate hour, --
Other lands also heroic and strong
Pour out their blood in the battle with wrong:
Country, my country, where myriads fall,
Venture your life for the lives of them all.

Free with a liberty blessedly bold
Born of the struggles of centuries old, --
Justice and liberty, law and the right,
All are at stake in the resolute fight:
Country, my country, let nothing appall,
Dare to be free for the freedom of all.



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