Poems (Chilton, 1885)/Ante Bellum
ANTE BELLUM.
[MARCH, 1861.]
[ON HEARING THAT THE AMERICAN FLAG WAS TO BE
HOISTED OVER THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.]
Ay, throw our country's banner out!
In triumph let it wave,
That timid hearts no more may doubt
Its power to shield and save.
The laggard pulse will quicker move
Its starry folds to see
O'er yonder shaft, that speaks our love
For him who made us free.
In triumph let it wave,
That timid hearts no more may doubt
Its power to shield and save.
The laggard pulse will quicker move
Its starry folds to see
O'er yonder shaft, that speaks our love
For him who made us free.
Like eyes with sad reproachful gaze,
Its stars will look on those
Who falter 'neath their steady rays,
Or, faithless, turn to foes.
Its stripes, like tongues of living flame,
As North and South they dart,
Shall hiss with words of scorn and shame
For every traitor heart.
Its stars will look on those
Who falter 'neath their steady rays,
Or, faithless, turn to foes.
Its stripes, like tongues of living flame,
As North and South they dart,
Shall hiss with words of scorn and shame
For every traitor heart.
Then fling it to the eager wind,
Let its broad splendors fly
O'er those who strive again to bind
The severed Union tie!
And should their arms too weak to save
Th' imperilled land be found,
O, let no alien symbol wave
Above this sacred ground!
Let its broad splendors fly
O'er those who strive again to bind
The severed Union tie!
And should their arms too weak to save
Th' imperilled land be found,
O, let no alien symbol wave
Above this sacred ground!