| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | At Gibraltar (II.) | | By George Edward Woodberry (18551930) |
| | | THOU art the rock of empire, set mid-seas | |
| Between the East and West, that God has built; | |
| Advance thy Roman borders where thou wilt, | |
| While run thy armies true with his decrees, | |
| Law, justice, libertygreat gifts are these; | 5 |
| Watch that they spread where English blood is spilt, | |
| Lest, mixed and sullied with his countrys guilt | |
| The soldiers lifestream flow, and Heaven displease! | |
| |
| Two swords there are: one naked, apt to smite | |
| Thy blade of war; and, battle-storied, one | 10 |
| Rejoices in the sheath, and hides from light. | |
| American I am; would wars were done! | |
| Now westward, look, my country bids good-night | |
| Peace to the world from ports without a gun! | | | | |
|
|