65. call for true men.
by Robert Lowell.
Up to battle! Up to battle!All we love is saved or lost!
Workshop's hum and streetside's tattle,
Off! These things the life may cost!
Come, for your country! For all dear things, come!
Come to the roll of the rallying drum!
You have seen the spring-swollen river
Hurling torrent, ice and wreck!
You have felt the strong pier quiver
Like a tempest.shaken deck!
Many a stout heart, quick hand and eye
Broke the water's mad strength, and it went by.
Look on this mad threatening torrent,
Tumbling on with blood and death!
Will we see our bulwarks war-rent?
Never! Draw a stronger breath! [48]
Here is good man's work Break through and through!
What matters hardship or danger to you?
What were death to any true man,
If the cause be true and high?
Beastly might quails when the human
Looks it calmly in the eye.
Break, with the bayonet, those crowding ranks!
God's blessing! glory! and evermore, thanks!
Duanbsburgh, August 5, 1862.
