Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BOSTON TO THE BOERS, by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The sword of gideon, sword of god Last Line: That red, dread day at bunker hill. Alternate Author Name(s): Miller, Joaquin Subject(s): Boer War; South African War | ||||||||
"For the right that needs assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the glory in the distance, For the good that we can do." "For Freedom's battles once begun, Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son, Though baffled oft, are ever won." -- BYRON. The Sword of Gideon, Sword of God, Be with ye, Boers. Brave men of peace, Ye hewed the path, ye brake the sod, Ye fed white flocks of fat increase, Where Saxon foot had never trod; Where Saxon foot unto this day Had measured not, had never known, Had ye not bravely led the way And made such happy homes your own. I think God's house must be such home. The priestess Mother, choristers Who spin and weave, nor care to roam Beyond this white God's house of hers, But spinning sing and spin again. I think such silent shepherd men Most like that few the prophet sings -- Most like that few stout Abram drew Triumphant o'er the slaughtered kings. Defend God's house! Let fall the crook. Draw forth the plowshare from the sod, And trust, as in the Holy Book, The Sword of Gideon and of God; God and the right! Enough to fight A million regiments of wrong. Defend! Nor count what comes of it. God's battle bides not with the strong; And pride must fall. Lo! it is writ! Great England's Gold! how stanch she fares, Fame's wine-cup dressing her proud lips -- Her checker-board of battle squares Rimmed round by steel-built battleships! And yet meanwhiles ten thousand miles She seeks ye out. Well, welcome her! Give her such welcome with such will As Boston gave in battle's whir That red, dread day at Bunker Hill. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A WIFE IN LONDON by THOMAS HARDY THE SOULS OF THE SLAIN by THOMAS HARDY RANK AND FILE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON AT THE WAR OFFICE, LONDON by THOMAS HARDY SONG OF THE SOLDIERS' WIVES AND SWEETHEARTS by THOMAS HARDY THE COLONEL'S SOLILOQUY by THOMAS HARDY A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER |
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