O God, Eternal Right, command us now. Here at the parting of the ways we stand, Custom and greed cry out for armament, And fear makes mock at our defenceless land. The sons of war may one day cross the sea, O God our help, dare we depend on Thee? 'Tis midnight, lo, within a garden black, See One in grip of hell stand undismayed. Rejected lies a sword beside his feet And angel legions fain would give him aid. He makes his choice in earth's supremest hour And journey's forth to Calvary and power. Our time has come to choose, God help us now! Who takes the sword shall perish by the sword. All lands have proved since history began The sure fulfillment of that changeless word. We arm, and peace turns back a thousand years. We arm and die, the victims of our fears. Throw down thine arms, O nation of God's hope! We will not chain our land to ages dead, But trusting love, dare all onslaughts of hell, Like Him who trod for us the winepress red, And count it glory, though we shed our blood; So earth shall reap eternal brotherhood. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ANTONIO by LAURA ELIZABETH HOWE RICHARDS ANOTHER SPRING by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI MY MOTHER by WILLIAM BELL SCOTT FROST-WORK by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE WOLD WAGGON by WILLIAM BARNES PSALM 84: THE SPARROW by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 40. FAREWELL TO JULIET (2) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |