The guns are still, the dead sleep on, The blind and crippled walk the streets, Bereavèd hearts bright colors don, Again the pulse of factories beats; Nightmares and grimy days have fled, Forgotten are the dead. Around the world from every land The prayers and pleadings never cease— For swords and men? Nay, heart and hand To build the dream eternal peace. Disdainfully we speak reproof; Proudly we stand aloof. Was it indifference that sent Our sons the tides of war to stem? Through flaming fields and blood they went. Shall we not keep our faith with them Whose bodies lie on foreign leas Or toss in many seas? The keen, cold sword the flesh will feel, If once again the world shall quake And men back to the jungle steal. O Countrymen, the hour to stake Our all is here, lest grim alarms Again shriek out, "To arms!" A question burns within man's breast: In bloody wars shall man expire— Or by the arts of peace be blessed That lift his soul forever higher? My Countrymen, stand forth and give Your answer, "Peace shall live!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SELF-DEPENDENCE by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE WORD by WILLIAM WALSHAM HOW BALLADE OF BLUE CHINA by ANDREW LANG THE BUILDING OF THE SHIP by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW ULTIMA THULE: THE CHAMBER OVER THE GATE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW FIRELIGHT by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON MY LIFE by HENRY DAVID THOREAU |