Classic Poem

D REAMS of a summer land
Where rose and lotos open to the sun,
Where green savane and misty mountain stand
By lordly valour won.

Dreams of the earnest-browed
And eagle-eyed, who late, with banners bright,
Rode forth in knightly errantry, to do
Devoir for God and Right.

Shoulder to shoulder, see
The crowding columns file through pass and glen!
Hear the shrill bugle! list the turbulent drum
Mustering the gallant men!

Resolute, year by year,
They keep at bay the cohorts of the world;
Hemmed in, yet trusting to the Lord of Hosts
The Cross is still unfurled.

Patient, heroic, true —
Counting but tens where hundreds stood at first,
Dauntless for right, they dare the sabre's edge,
The bomb-shell's deadly burst;

While we, with hearts made brave
By their proud manhood, work and watch and pray
Till, conquering Fate, we'll greet with smiles and tears
The conquering ranks of gray!

O God of dreams and sleep!
Dreamless they sleep — 'tis we, the sleepless, dream!
Defend us, while our vigil dark we keep,
Which knows no morning beam!

Bloom, gentle spring-tide flowers,
Sing, gentle winds, above each holy grave,
While we, the women of a desolate land,
Weep for the true and brave!