Classic Poem

Surrender ? Nay! though thick around
Death-dealing shot may fly,
While clouds of sulphurous smoke obscure
The calm o'er-arching sky.
Loud let our cannon thunder forth
Defiance to the foe,
And with the gleaming bayonet
Our soldiers o ward go!

What though our serried ranks are thinned,
Or mowed like summer grass,
And on they press, outnumbering us,
A huge, o'erwhelming mass?
Yet we will stand the sudden shock,
Resisting till in vain,
And only slowly backward move,
To " bide our time " again.

From brave hearts on Potomac's shore,
Or in the distant West,
Or 'mid the hills of Tennessee,
Or where the surging crest
Of many a wave sweeps noble barks
That bear our flag on high,
Comes, ever and anon, the shout,
" We conquer or we die! "

Surrender! Give our broad, free lands
To dark Rebellion's sway?
Hark! every breeze from out the North
Bears back the answer, " Nay! "
And gentle woman stronger feels,
And children happier grow,
As, leaning on a Mighty Arm,
Our Union answers " No! "

Then fill the broken ranks again,
And hasten to the strife;
Aye! in the holiest war e'er waged,
Press on to peril life.
Our starry banner yet shall float
Upon the ambient air,
While deep-mouthed guns our cause proclaim
Triumphant everywhere.