Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | I. Patriotism | | Men of the North and West | | Richard Henry Stoddard (1825–1903) |
| | [April, 1861]
MEN of the North and West, | |
| Wake in your might. | |
| Prepare, as the rebels have done, | |
| For the fight! | |
| You cannot shrink from the test; | 5 |
| Rise! Men of the North and West! | |
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| They have torn down your banner of stars; | |
| They have trampled the laws; | |
| They have stifled the freedom they hate, | |
| For no cause! | 10 |
| Do you love it or slavery best? | |
| Speak! Men of the North and West! | |
| |
| They strike at the life of the State: | |
| Shall the murder be done? | |
| They cry: “We are two!” And you? | 15 |
| “We are one!” | |
| You must meet them, then, breast to breast; | |
| On! Men of the North and West! | |
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| Not with words; they laugh them to scorn, | |
| And tears they despise; | 20 |
| But with swords in your hands, and death | |
| In your eyes! | |
| Strike home! leave to God all the rest; | |
| Strike! Men of the North and West! | | | | |
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