THEY stand like sentries at a country's gates, Guarding the mighty realm lest in should come The alien things to poison and benumb The sovereign heart. Where this tribunal waits There dwells the ancient power of the fates Which sways our destinies. Not rolling drum Or cannonade their means, — all such is dumb Before these peaceful arbiters of states. They wield one battle-blade, — the country's law; And each man is an intellectual king, Whose work shall last till Time's clear eyes are dim: It is but meet we look on them with awe, Who can by weight of words such forces swing, While men have no appeal except to Him. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WAR IS KIND: 12 by STEPHEN CRANE OPPORTUNITY by JOHN JAMES INGALLS THE LOVER AND THE BIRDS by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM FEAR AND LOVE by EGMONT HEGEL ARENS SONG, FR. THE LOVER'S PROGRESS by FRANCIS BEAUMONT H. SACRAMENT by JOSEPH BEAUMONT VERITAS by BERNICE BROWN BETTMAN BIARTEY'S SPINNING SONG, FR. THE RIDING TO LITHEND by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |