They who were comrades of that shadow host, Remembered or forgotten, but a part Of the great beating of the Nation's heart! A call to victory! Hark, in the Empyrean The battle birds! The bugles! UNMANIFEST DESTINY To what new fates, my country, far Compelled to what unchosen end, Across the sea that knows no beach The harbor where thy future rides! 5 10 15 20 25 The guns that spoke at Lexington To bugle forth the rights of men. To them that wept and cursed Bull Run, Had not defeat upon defeat, Disaster on disaster come, Had never marched behind the drum. There is a Hand that bends our deeds I do not know beneath what sky I only know it shall be high, I only know it shall be great. 5 ΙΟ 15 20 -July, 1898. LOVE IN THE WINDS WHEN I am standing on a mountain crest, 25 That rides out Fate and welcomes gods to fight. Glad that our love is fellow to rough weather, WILLIAM VAUGHN MOODY 1869 5 MR. MOODY was born at Spencer, Indiana, and was graduated in 1893 from Harvard, where for a time he was an assistant in English. Later he became a member of the English department at the University of Chicago. While in college the unusual excellence of his verse was a matter of comment, and he has more than fulfilled his early promise. He has already published two volumes of poetry of marked power, and much is expected of him in the future. ROBERT GOULD SHAW (FROM "AN ODE IN TIME OF HESITATION") THE wars we wage Are noble, and our battles still are won By justice for us, ere we lift the gage. We have not sold our loftiest heritage. The proud republic hath not stooped to cheat Her forehead weareth yet its solemn star. Here is her witness: this, her perfect son, This delicate and proud New England soul Who leads despisëd men, with just-unshackled feet, 10 15 20 Crouched in the sea fog on the moaning sand And lo, the shard the potter cast away Fulfilled of the divine Great wine of battle wrath by God's ring-finger stirred. To flush the mountain laurel when she blows Sweet by the southern sea, 25 And heart with crumbled heart climbs in the rose: The untaught hearts with the high heart that knew This mountain fortress for no earthly hold Of temporal quarrel, but the bastion old Of spiritual wrong, 30 Built by an unjust nation sheer and strong, And bowing down before that equal shrine By all men held divine, Whereof his band and he were the most holy sign. 35 WE ARE OUR FATHERS' SONS (FROM "AN ODE IN TIME OF HESITATION") WE are our fathers' sons: let those who lead us know! 'Twas only yesterday sick Cuba's cry Came up the tropic wind, "Now help us, for we die !" And rising, pale, to Maine and Idaho Shouted a burning word; Proud state with proud impassioned state conferred, 5 Beautiful armies. Oh, by the sweet blood and young 10 By the unforgotten names of eager boys Who might have tasted girls' love and been stung And starry griefs, now the spring nights come on, 15 We charge you, ye who lead us, Breathe on their chivalry no hint of stain ! Turn not their new-world victories to gain ! One least leaf plucked for chaffer from the bays noon, One jot of their pure conquest put to hire, 20 25 30 |