Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

COMING OF WAR by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: GATHER THE PEOPLE, FOR THE BATTLE BREAKS
Subject(s): SOLDIERS;
Gather the people, for the battle breaks:

From camping grounds above the valley,

Gather the men-at-arms, and bid them rally:
Gather the people, for the battle breaks:
Because the morn, the battle, wakes.
From camping grounds above the valley,
High throned above the mountains and the main,
Gather the men-at-arms, and bid them rally:
Triumphs the sun: far down, the pasture plain
Because the morn, the battle, wakes.
To trampling armour shakes.
High throned above the mountains and the main,
This was the meaning of those plenteous years,
Triumphs the sun: far down, the pasture plain
Those unarmed years of peace unbroken:
To trampling armour shakes.
Flashing war crowns them! Now war's trump hath spoken

This final glory in our ears.

The old blood of our pastoral fathers now
This was the meaning of those plenteous years,
Riots about our heart, and through our brow:
Those unarmed years of peace unbroken:
Their sons can have no fears.
Flashing war crowns them! Now war's trump hath spoken
This was our whispering and haunting dream,
This final glory in our ears.
When cornfields flourished, red and golden:
The old blood of our pastoral fathers now
When vines hung purple, nor could be withholden
Riots about our heart, and through our brow:
The radiant outburst of their stream.
Their sons can have no fears.
Earth cried to us, that all her laboured store

Was ours: that she had more to give, and more:

For nothing, did we deem?
This was our whispering and haunting dream,
We give her back the glory of this hour.
When cornfields flourished, red and golden:
O sun and earth! O strength and beauty!
When vines hung purple, nor could be withholden
We use you now, we thank you now: our duty
The radiant outburst of their stream.
We stand to do, mailed in your power.
Earth cried to us, that all her laboured store
A little people of a favoured land,
Was ours: that she had more to give, and more:
Helmed with the blessing of the morn we stand:
For nothing, did we deem?
Our life is at its flower.

Gather the people, let the battle break:

An hundred peaceful years are over.
We give her back the glory of this hour.
Now march each man to battle, as a lover:
O sun and earth! O strength and beauty!
For him, whom death shall overtake!
We use you now, we thank you now: our duty
Sleeping upon this field, about his gloom
We stand to do, mailed in your power.
Voices shall pierce, to thrill his sacred tomb,
A little people of a favoured land,
Of pride for his great sake.
Helmed with the blessing of the morn we stand:
With melody about us: heart and feet
Our life is at its flower.
Responding to one mighty measure;

Glad with the splendour of an holy pleasure;

Swayed, one and all, as wind sways wheat:
Gather the people, let the battle break:
Answering the sunlight with our eyes aglow;
An hundred peaceful years are over.
Serene, and proud, and passionate, we go
Now march each man to battle, as a lover:
Through airs of morning sweet.
For him, whom death shall overtake!
Let no man dare to be disheartened now!
Sleeping upon this field, about his gloom
We challenge death beyond denial.
Voices shall pierce, to thrill his sacred tomb,
Against the host of death we make our trial:
Of pride for his great sake.
Lord God of Hosts! do thou,

Who gavest us the fulness of thy sun

On fields of peace, perfect war's work begun:
With melody about us: heart and feet
Warriors, to thee we bow.
Responding to one mighty measure;
O life-blood of remembrance! Long ago
Glad with the splendour of an holy pleasure;
This land upheld our ancient fathers:
Swayed, one and all, as wind sways wheat:
And for this land, their land, our land, now gathers
Answering the sunlight with our eyes aglow;
One fellowship against the foe.
Serene, and proud, and passionate, we go
The spears flash: be they as our mothers' eyes!
Through airs of morning sweet.
The trump sounds: hearken to our fathers' cries!

March we to battle so.

Let no man dare to be disheartened now!
We challenge death beyond denial.
Against the host of death we make our trial:
Lord God of Hosts! do thou,
Who gavest us the fulness of thy sun
On fields of peace, perfect war's work begun:
Warriors, to thee we bow.


O life-blood of remembrance! Long ago
This land upheld our ancient fathers:
And for this land, their land, our land, now gathers
One fellowship against the foe.
The spears flash: be they as our mothers' eyes!
The trump sounds: hearken to our fathers' cries!




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