Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG AGAINST NIPPON: TO HIRAM JOHNSON, by GEORGE SYLVESTER VIERECK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG AGAINST NIPPON: TO HIRAM JOHNSON, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hail, dauntless leader stout of heart
Last Line: We are the paladins of god!
Subject(s): Japan; Johnson, Hiram Warren (1866-1945); Japanese


HAIL, dauntless leader stout of heart,
Stern guardian of the White God's rule!
Abroad -- from Nippon's wily art,
At home -- from craven lout and fool!
Though Asia's squadrons wax by sevens,
Our boards shall never spread their feast,
These mirthless sons of godless heavens,
Grim vanguards of the swarming East!
Upon our heritage of pains
Their heavy sins shall not be hurled,
Their stunted trees and stunted brains,
The burden of their Yellow World.
What of their kinsmen wont to roam
The earth upon the steeds of hell?
They were God's Scourge! Before them Rome
Quaked, and her holy altars fell.
But Attila is dead! And he
Would not be bold to tempt his fate
And lead their hosts across the sea,
While California holds the Gate!
And while Christ's sunrise crowns His morn,
While we have arms to spike their guns,
We laugh their Shogun threats to scorn,
We shall not cringe before these Huns!
We have one destiny; in them
The Forty-Seven Ronins dwell;
Not theirs the star of Bethlehem,
Not theirs the White Man's Citadel!
For yellow toil the yellow dross,
But not an inch of native sod!
Above the flag we plant the Cross,
We are the paladins of God!






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net