To horse! to horse! the standard flies, The bugles sound the call; The Gallic navy stems the seas, The voice of Battle's on the breeze, Arouse ye, one and all! From high Dunedin's towers we come, A band of brothers true; Our casques the leopard's spoils surround, With Scotland's hardy thistle crowned; We boast the red and blue. Though tamely crouch to Gallia's frown, Dull Holland's tardy train; Their ravished toys though Romans mourn. Though gallant Switzers vainly spurn, And, foaming, gnaw the chain; O! had they marked the avenging call Their brethren's murder gave, Disunion ne'er their ranks had mown, Nor patriot valor, desperate grown, Sought freedom in the grave! Shall we, too, bend the stubborn head, In Freedom's temple born, Dress our pale cheek in timid smile, To hail a master in our isle, Or brook a victor's scorn? No! though destruction o'er the land Come pouring as a flood, The sun, that sees our falling day, Shall mark our sabres' deadly sway, And set that night in blood. For gold let Gallia's legions fight, Or plunder's bloody gain; Unbribed, unbought, our swords we draw, To guard our King, to fence our Law, Nor shall their edge be vain. If ever breath of British gale Shall fan the tri-color, Or footstep of invader rude, With rapine foul, and red with blood, Pollute our happy shore, -- Then farewell home! and farewell friends! Adieu each tender tie! Resolved, we mingle in the tide, Where charging squadrons furious ride, To conquer, or to die. To horse! to horse! the sabres gleam; High sounds our bugle call; Combined by honor's sacred tie, Our word is, @3Laws and Liberty!@1 March forward, one and all! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A TIME TO TALK by ROBERT FROST FATHER LAND AND MOTHER TONGUE by SAMUEL LOVER THE FINDING OF THE LYRE by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL ASSAULT by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY NOCTURNE IN A DESERTED BRICKYARD by CARL SANDBURG REMINISCENCE by DOROTHY ALLISON PHILLIS INAMOROTA by LANCELOT ANDREWES |