FAREWELL, Peace! another crisis Calls us to "the last appeal," Made when monarchs and their vices Leave no argument but steel. When injustice and oppression Dare avow the tyrant's plea. Who would recommend submission? Virtue bids us to be free. History spreads her page before us, Time unrolls his ample scroll; Truth unfolds them, to assure us, States, united, ne'er can fall. See, in annals Greek and Roman, What immortal deeds we find; When those gallant sons of woman In their country's cause combined. Sons of Freedom! brave descendants From a race of heroes tried, To preserve our independence Let all Europe be defied. Let not all the world, united, Rob us of one sacred right: Every patriot heart's delighted In his country's cause to fight. Come then, War! with hearts elated To thy standard we will fly; Every bosom animated Either to live free or die. May the wretch that shrinks from duty, Or deserts the glorious strife, Never know the smile of beauty, Nor the blessing of a wife. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WRINKLES by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR ST. JOHN'S, CAMBRIDGE; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE HERONS OF ELMWOOD by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SOMETIME by MAY LOUISE RILEY SMITH BURNS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |