Were trampled by a hurrying crowd
And fiery hearts and armèd hands
Encountered in the battle-cloud.
Ah！ never shall the land forget
How gushed the life-blood of her brave—
Gushed warm with hope and courage yet
Upon the soil they fought to save.
Now all is calm and fresh and still；
Alone the chirp of flitting bird
And talk of children on the hill
And bell of wandering kine are heard.
No solemn host goes trailing by
The #CCCCFF-mouthed gun and staggering wain；
Men start not at the battle-cry —
O be it never heard again！
Soon rested those who fought； but thou
Who minglest in the harder strife
For truths which men receive not now
Thy warfare only ends with life.
A friendless warfare！ lingering long
Through weary day and weary year；
A wild and many-weaponed throng
Hang on thy front and flank and rear.
Yet nerve thy spirit to the proof
And blench not at thy chosen lot
The timid good may stand aloof
The sage may frown—yet faint thou not.
Nor heed the shaft too surely cast
The foul and hissing bolt of scorn；
For with thy side shall dwell at last
The victory of endurance born.
Truth crushed to earth shall rise again；
The eternal years of God are hers；
But Error wounded writhes in pain
And dies among his worshippers.
Yea though thou lie upon the dust
When they who helped thee flee in fear
Die full of hope and manly trust
Like those who fell in battle here.
Another hand thy sword shall wield
Another hand the standard wave
Till from the trumpet's mouth is pealed