4516975Poems — The Patriot DeadSarah Elizabeth Carmichael
THE PATRIOT DEAD
No tears for them!—they never knew The shrinking, coward pain Of hearts that know a fetter's weight, And beat beneath a chain; They hallowed with their earliest breath The land for which they bled; Chant honor's paean-note to Death Above the patriot dead.
No tears for them!—the lofty-toned! The beautiful! the high! There is no sorrow in the voice That summons such to die. Oh! loop our country's ensign where Its starry folds may spread The glory that they died to guard, Above the patriot dead.
No tears for them!—the bright! the brave! Weep for the coward life, That dares not go where honor calls, And, shrinking, shuns the strife; But speak of them with reverent eye, Awed voice, and low-bowed head, And teach your babes 'twere proud to die Like them—the patriot dead.
