  I DO enlist me in the cause of man, The old, dear cause of liberty for all, The hope of history since bards began To sing inspired heroic battle-call. The precious purchase of ten thousand years, The slow-won gains hard held at awful cost Of toil and thought and grief and blood and tears— Shall these be stolen from the world, and lost? These to retain, must force, perforce, alas, Lift up her banners and her thunders hurl: Then, when the reign of cruelty shall pass, Dare Charity her fighting ensign furl. Where rings no song for freedom, none are free; Where gleams no sword for justice, justice dies; Where gates of hell prevail, then must it be The Powers of Darkness storm the very skies. The Prince of Gentleness, did He not bring A brand, lest violence on earth prevail? He preached, He prayed. And poets needs must sing War against wrong, or Christ himself must fail. |
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