The Last Charge

Now, men of the North ! will you join in the strife
For country, for freedom, for honor, for life ?
The giant grows blind in his fury and spite, —
One blow on his forehead will settle the fight!

Flash full in his eyes the blue lightning of steel,
And stun him with cannon-bolts, peal upon peal!
Mount, troopers, and follow your game to its lair,
As the hound tracks the wolf and the beagle the hare !

Blow, trumpets, your summons, till sluggards awake !
Beat, drums, till the roofs of the faint-hearted shake!
Yet, yet, ere the signet is stamped on the scroll,
Their names may be traced on the blood-sprinkled roll!

Trust not the false herald that painted your shield :
True honor to-day must be sought on the field !
Her scutcheon shows white with a blazon of red,—
The life-drops of crimson for liberty shed !

The hour is at hand, and the moment draws nigh !
The dog-star of treason grows dim in the sky !
Shine forth from the battle-cloud, light of the morn,
Call back the bright hour when the Nation was born !

The rivers of peace through our valleys shall run,
As the glaciers of tyranny melt in the sun ;
Smite, smite the proud parricide down from his throne, —
His sceptre once broken, the world is our own !