Classic Poem

Thy mighty power stirs up the sluggish blood
To craft and cunning and rejuvenate fire.
And fills again with raptures of desire
The failing sense that drowns in amour's flood.

The spirit's song, freed from our carnal mud,
Then soars supreme, and grandlier doth aspire,
And with new vigor that can never tire,
The flowers of fancy burst within the bud.

In nobler ways, even yet, thou prov'st thy might,
When soldiers, strengthened by thy drops of flame,
Forget their gory wounds in frantic zeal,
And with high souls all thrilling for the fight,
Assault dread bastions for their country's fame,
And lead their flags thro' labyrinths of steel!