Poems (Kennedy)/In Mexico
IN MEXICO
ONCE more our battle banners fly
Their signals 'neath the Mexic sky,
Breeze-rippled in the sun;
Once more war's purple pageantry
Flames to a heart of mystery
With laurels to be won.
Their signals 'neath the Mexic sky,
Breeze-rippled in the sun;
Once more war's purple pageantry
Flames to a heart of mystery
With laurels to be won.
The years are many since Scott's host
Stormed home the Cerro-Gordo post
Rock-ribbed and bleached with snow,
And then from steeps where falls the light—
The conquered Churubuscan height—
Looked off toward Mexico.
Stormed home the Cerro-Gordo post
Rock-ribbed and bleached with snow,
And then from steeps where falls the light—
The conquered Churubuscan height—
Looked off toward Mexico.
The years are many since, with tread
That shook the Aztec heart with dread,
Our martial legions stood
In Montezuma's storied hall
And raised the thrilling victory call
That stirs e'en sluggard blood.
That shook the Aztec heart with dread,
Our martial legions stood
In Montezuma's storied hall
And raised the thrilling victory call
That stirs e'en sluggard blood.
The years are many—aye, three score—
Since these things were, and now once more
(There seems naught else to choose)
Our unfurled martial banners fly
Where broods the blue-gold tropic sky
O'er gun-girt Vera Cruz.
Since these things were, and now once more
(There seems naught else to choose)
Our unfurled martial banners fly
Where broods the blue-gold tropic sky
O'er gun-girt Vera Cruz.
Mars wears his helmet plumed in red,
And men see Glory's laurels spread
By trails of long ago;
While women, clothed in silk or rag,
Pray for their lovers and their flag
Way down in Mexico!
And men see Glory's laurels spread
By trails of long ago;
While women, clothed in silk or rag,
Pray for their lovers and their flag
Way down in Mexico!