A Treasury of War Poetry - British and American Poems of the World War 1914-1917 by Unknown
page 31 of 277 (11%)
page 31 of 277 (11%)
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They are the foemen of mankind. Up, Liberty, and smite!
Britain, and France, and Italy, and Russia newly born, Have waited for thee in the night. Oh, come as comes the morn. Serene and strong and full of faith, America, arise, With steady hope and mighty help to join thy brave Allies. O dearest country of my heart, home of the high desire, Make clean thy soul for sacrifice on Freedom's altar-fire: For thou must suffer, thou must fight, until the warlords cease, And all the peoples lift their heads in liberty and peace. _Henry van Dyke_ _April 10, 1917_ TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Brothers in blood! They who this wrong began To wreck our commonwealth, will rue the day When first they challenged freemen to the fray, And with the Briton dared the American. Now are we pledged to win the Rights of man; Labour and Justice now shall have their way, And in a League of Peace--God grant we may-- Transform the earth, not patch up the old plan. |
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