THERE is no joy in strife, Peace is my great desire; Yet God forbid I lose my life Through fear to face the fire. A peaceful man must fight For that which peace demands,— Freedom and faith, honor and right, Defend with heart and hands. Farewell, my friendly books; Farewell, ye woods and streams; The fate that calls me forward looks To a duty beyond dreams. Oh, better to be dead With a face turned to the sky, Than live beneath a slavish dread And serve a giant lie. Stand up, my heart, and strive For the things most dear to thee! Why should we care to be alive Unless the world is free? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MOMENT by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE THE STIRRUP-CUP by JOHN MILTON HAY LOVE'S RESURRECTION DAY by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: AUGUST by EDMUND SPENSER LINES by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS AEOLIAN HARP (2) by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM |