Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, G. A. R. TO A. E. F., by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

G. A. R. TO A. E. F., by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hope and promise of the nation
Last Line: You who fight to save the world!
Subject(s): Army - United States; World War I; First World War


Hope and Promise of the nation,
Expeditionary Force,
For Democracy's salvation
And Autocracy's remorse,
Take a warning and a blessing
From your fathers who have fought,
So that, both of them possessing,
You may set the foe at naught.

Take a warning: that the fighting
Is not over in a day;
Oh, the failures, weary, blighting!
Oh, the desperate delay!
For the waiting, and the hiding,
And the unexpected shock,
You will need the calm abiding
Of the everlasting rock.

Take a blessing: gallant heroes
From a nation that is free,
You are facing worse than Nero's
Cruelty and treachery:
All of heaven bends above you,
God preserve you safe and true,
For the folks at home who love you,
And the land that prays for you!

We who know the olden story,
Freedom's story proudly great,
How we glory in your glory
And the splendor of your fate!
Take our high congratulation,
Far against the foeman hurled --
We who fought to save the nation,
You who fight to save the world!





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