Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ALFRED THE GREAT TO HIS MEN, by JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ALFRED THE GREAT TO HIS MEN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My friends, this country must be free! That land
Last Line: Is in an arm! Strike till you're free, or fall!
Subject(s): Alfred The Great (849-1899); Alfred, King Of Wessex


MY friends, this country must be free! That land
Is never lost that has a son to right her,—
And here are troops of sons, and loyal ones!
Strong in her children should a mother be;
Shall ours be helpless, that has sons like these?
God save our native land, whoever pays
The ransom that redeems her! Now, what wait we?—
For Alfred's word to move upon the foe?
Upon him, then! Now think ye on the things
You most do love! Husbands and fathers, on
Your wives and children; lovers, on your beloved;
And all, upon your COUNTRY! When you use
Your weapons, think on the beseeching eyes,
To whet them, could have lent you tears for water!
O, now be men, or never! From your hearths
Thrust the unbidden feet, that from their nooks
Drove forth your aged sires—your wives and babes!
The couches, your fair-handed daughters used
To spread, let not the vaunting stranger press,
Weary from spoiling you! Your roofs, that hear
The wanton riot of the intruding guest,
That mocks their masters,—clear them for the sake
Of the manhood to which all that's precious clings
Else perishes. The land that bore you—O!
Do honor to her! Let her glory in
Your breeding! Rescue her! Revenge her,—or
Ne'er call her mother more! Come on, my friends!
And, where you take your stand upon the field,
However you advance, resolve on this,—
That a foot you'll ne'er recede, while from the tongues
Of age, and womanhood, and infancy, the helplessness whose safety in you lies
Invokes you to be strong! Come on! Come on!
I'll bring you to the foe! And when you meet him,
Strike hard! Strike home! Strike while a dying blow
Is in an arm! Strike till you're free, or fall!





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