Classic Poem

Out and fight! The clouds are breaking,
Far and wide the red light streams,
North and west see millions waking
From their night-mare, doubting dreams.
War is coming. As the thunder
'Mid the mountain caverns rolls,
Driving rains in torrents under,
So the wild roar wakes our souls.

Out and fight! The time is over
For all truce and compromise,
Words of calm are words of folly,
Peaceful dreams are painted lies;
Sumter's flames in Southern waters
Are the first wild beacon light,
And on Northern hills reflected
Give the signal for the fight.

Out and fight! Endure no longer
Goading insult, brazen guilt;
Be the battle to the knife blade,
And the knife blade to the hilt,
Till the sacred zone of Freedom
Girds the whole Atlantic strand,
And the braggart and the Gascon
Be extinguished from the land.