Poems (Kennedy)/Columbia's Toll
COLUMBIA'S TOLL
(JUNE 5, 1917)
IN the wilderness where Sinai Looked away o'er shifting sandAnd the Red Sea spent its thunder God gave Moses this command:
"Number all the people for me, List them by each tribal name—All the men from twenty upward For my warrior host I claim.
"All the youngest and the strongest— They are mine by my decree;Set their standards where they gather— They shall fight to make men free."
Thus in that far day was taken That first count of men of war,In the desert 'neath the shadow Of the Mountain of the Law.
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Now, through eons comes the echo Of that old Mosaic quest—Voice of our loved country calling: "Give me share of all your best—
"Count me out a Guard of Honor, Young of heart and legions long,Men who'll dare the heights of danger Singing clear my Freedom song—
"Men who'll set my unstained standard Where the victory beacons glanceIn that parliament of banners On the reddened fields of France—
"Men who'll fight for equal justice And the brotherhood it brings'Till, upon each trodden people, Falls the twilight of the kings.
"Falls that twilight, and the burden Of the tyrants' rule shall cease,And the hilltops of the nations Whiten with the dawn of peace.
"Count me out this Guard of Honor From your bravest and your best,Number them as God commanded In the old Mosaic quest."
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So we take that toll of manhood, Counting out our brave and strong—Take them to your heart, Columbia, They will sing your Freedom Song!