Classic Poem

No more words;
Try it with your swords!
Try it with the arms of your bravest and your best!
You are proud of your manhood, now put it to the test;
Not another word;
Try it by the sword!

No more notes;
Try it by the throats
Of the cannon that will roar till the earth and air be shaken;
For they speak what they mean, and they cannot be mistaken;
No more doubt;
Come — fight it out!

No child's play!
Waste not a day;
Serve out the deadliest weapons that you know;
Let them pitilessly hail on the faces of the foe;
No blind strife;
Waste not one life.

You that in the front
Bear the battle's brunt —
When the sun gleams at dawn on the bayonets abreast,
Remember 't is for government and country you contest;
For love of all you guard,
Stand, and strike hard!

You at home that stay
From danger far away,
Leave not a jot to chance, while you rest in quiet ease;
Quick! forge the bolts of death; quick! ship them o'er the seas;
If War's feet are lame,
Yours will be the blame.

You, my lads, abroad,
" Steady! " be your word;
You, at home, be the anchor of your soldiers young and brave;
Spare no cost, none is lost, that may strengthen or may save;
Sloth were sin and shame,
Now play out the game!