15. Laisser Aller.
by Franklin Lushington.
No more words;Try it with your swords!
Try it with the arms of your bravest and your best!
You are proud of your manhood, now put it to the test;
Not another word;
Try it by the sword.
No more notes;
Try it by the throats
Of the cannon that will roar till the earth and air be shaken:
For they speak what they mean, and they cannot be mistaken;
No more doubt;
Come-fight it out.
No child's play!
Waste not a day;
Serve out the deadliest weapons that you know;
Let them pitilessly hail on the faces of the foe;
No blind strife;
Waste not one life.
You that in the front
Bear the battle's brunt--
When the sun gleams at dawn on the bayonets abreast,
Remember 'tis for government and country you contest;
For love of all you guard,
Stand and strike hard.
You at home that stay
From danger far away,
Leave not a jot to chance, while you rest in quiet ease;
Quick! forge the bolts of death; quick! ship them o'er the seas;
If war's feet are lame,
Yours will be the blame.
You, my lads, abroad,
“Steady!” be your word:
You, at home, be the anchor of your soldiers young and brave;
Spare no cost, none is lost, that may strengthen or may save;
Sloth were sin and shame;
Now play out the game.
--Transcript, April 17.
