Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO W. W. IN HASTE, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO W. W. IN HASTE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We have given you our money, we have given you our boys
Last Line: Get excited! Go the limit! And -- then -- more!
Subject(s): Wilson, Woodrow (1856-1924); World War I; First World War


We have given you our money, we have given you our boys,
We are making your munitions by the ton,
We have left our common labors, we have left our common joys,
In the hope to end the menace of the Hun.
We are paying double prices from our collars to our shoes,
We are giving up our pleasures by the score,
We are cutting out the candy and the beefsteak and the booze,
We have done just what you asked us; ask us more.

Have we grumbled at the taxes? Have we grumbled at the draft?
Have we grumbled at the heatless, eatless days?
We have flown our flags the higher, we have merely grinned and laughed,
We have plodded on our patriotic ways.
It is all an awful nuisance and we wish that it was done,
It is all a most infernal beastly bore,
But we would not pause or slacken till we've licked the hateful Hun;
We have given all you asked for; ask for more.

We are counting on your daring, we are counting on your speed,
We should like it if you were a little rash;
We will back you to the limit with whatever you may need,
With the men and with the labor and the cash.
Won't you worry, won't you hurry, won't you tear your hair a bit?
Won't you even give a wild Rooseveltian roar?
We are weary of the aiming and we want to make a hit;
All we ask is that you up and ask us more.

Summon workers to the shipyards with commands they must obey,
Bid the preacher leave the pulpit for the plough,
Heap the taxes high and higher till we can no longer pay,
Call five million to the colors, call them now.
Do not wait to know our wishes: we are eager to be led;
We will follow, if you only go before.
Drop the pen and seize the sabre, shout to raise the very dead!
Get excited! Go the limit! And -- then -- more!





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