  “Fathers, whose sons have bled! Sons, who have lost your sires, Brothers, for brothers dead! Arouse your martial fires. Hurl retribution on the foe That laid your slaughtered kinsmen low.” Hark! ’tis your country’s call That swells along the sky; Come forth, brave Burghers all, Responsive to the cry! I hear the trumpet from afar; It tells of strife and blood and war. See! from each vale and glen Pour forth the patriot bands— A host of stalwart men, True hearts and steady hands. Let none be absent from that strife For home, and liberty, and life. Long has the combat raged, Its war-path marked with blood; Oft have the troops engaged The foe, yet unsubdued, For yon brave men, it now remains Yon kloofs to clear,—to scour yon plains. Arise then in your might! Let friend encourage friend; God will maintain the right; To Him your cause commend. On Him in humble faith rely, And rush to certain victory. Burghers! to arms! to arms! Haste, mount each trusty steed! Heed not the Prophet’s charms, No hostile numbers heed! On you your country’s hopes repose, Her wrongs to avenge—to crush her foes. Wide, wide then to the skies Your banner be unfurled! Your patriot enterprise Shall ring throughout the world. Where Britain’s standard waves, each land Shall hear of your heroic band. Think of the widow’s wail, Think of the orphan’s moan! Think of each harrowing tale, Altars and hearths o’erthrown! The midnight prowl—the ambuscade— The traveller’s homeward path waylaid! And call to mind the cries, Fervent and numberless, That shall to Heaven arise For safety and success. Your country breathes one common prayer, And makes your weal its special care. And should it prove your lot To fill a warrior’s grave, That consecrated spot Where sleeps “the fallen brave,” Watered by grateful tears, shall be Dear to your country’s memory. Fathers, whose sons have bled! Sons, who have lost your sires! Brothers, for brothers dead, Arouse your martial fires! Pour swift destruction on the foe That laid your slaughtered kinsmen low. G. Impey. Graham’s Town, October 27th, 1851. |
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