Page:Fifes and Drums, Poems of America at War, Vigilantes, 1917.djvu/29

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FIFES AND DRUMS
23


Not peace bought for us by the martyred dead
Of countries reeking red;
No peace flung to us from a tyrant's hand,
Sop to a servile land.
Our Peace the State's strong arm holds high and free,
The "placid Peace she seeks in liberty,"
                 Yea, "with a sword."
                 Help us, O Lord!

Bring out the banners that defied a king;
Then tattered colors bring
That made a nation one from sea to sea,
In godly liberty.
Unsheathe the patriot sword in time of need,
America! Forth, forth your armies lead!
                "Peace, with a sword!
                 Help us, O Lord!"

Abbie Furwell Brown.