AY, let it rest! And give us peace. 'T is but another blot On Freedom's fustian flag, and gold Will gild the unclean spot. Yes, fold the hands, and bear the wrong As Christians over-meek, And wipe away the bloody stain, And turn the other cheek. What boots the loss of freemen's blood Beside imperilled gold? Is honor more than merchandise? And cannot pride be sold? Let Cuba groan, let patriots fall; Americans may die; Our flag may droop in foul disgrace, But "Peace!" be still our cry. Ay, give us peace! And give us truth To nature, to resign The counterfeit which Freedom wears Upon her banner fine. Remove the Stars, -- they light our shame; But keep the Stripes of gore And craven White, to tell the wrong A prudent nation bore. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OLNEY HYMNS: 9. THE CONTRITE HEART by WILLIAM COWPER THE SWISS EMIGRANT by LUCY AIKEN TIGER LILIES by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH IN UTRUMQUE PARATUS by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE RELAPSE by JOSEPH BEAUMONT A WOMAN'S SONNETS: 2 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |