Fifes and Drums/The Flag

by George Edward Woodberry

THE FLAG

Kiss the loud winds, O darling of all hearts,
    And shoot o'er land and sea thy beams worldwide!
    How many thousands in thy light have died,
Radiant and sweet! now from our banners darts
A greater glory! in our bosoms starts
    A deeper joy: so swells the long-pent tide
    Of full devotion to thy sacred side,
And from impatient millions doubt departs.

Advance thy colors in the captain-files
    That vanward lead the many-languaged host
    Like mighty waves that lift an angry sea,—
And break the German! miles on headlong miles
Drive him from churchless land and shipless coast
Till law again for right be sanctuary!

George E. Woodberry.