O GUNS, fall silent till the dead men hear Above their heads the legions pressing on: (These fought their fight in time of bitter fear And died not knowing how the day had gone.) O flashing muzzles, pause, and let them see The coming dawn that streaks the day afar: Then let your mighty chorus witness be To them, and Cæsar, that we still make war. Tell them, O guns, that we have heard their call, That we have sworn, and will not turn aside, That we will onward, till we win or fall, That we will keep the faith for which they died. Bid them be patient, and some day, anon, They shall feel earth enwrapt in silence deep, Shall greet, in wonderment, the quiet dawn, And in content may turn them to their sleep. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE COUNTESS OF PEMBROKE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) LAMENT FOR CULLODEN by ROBERT BURNS TO MARY by GEORGE GORDON BYRON TWO WITCHES: 1. THE WITCH OF COOS by ROBERT FROST A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 9 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN THE VAMPIRE by RUDYARD KIPLING CUBA LIBRA [APRIL, 1896] by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER |