Classic Poem

Now, while our hopes go up and down,
And Ivan's line is shaken,
Thank God, there is one Russian town
The Germans haven't taken!
Though Warsaw fell in evil days,
Our friends antagonistic
(The Sydney Morning Herald says)
Are far from Optimistic.

With silver spires and golden domes
It stands against the dawning,
Its mat the snow that softly comes,
The grey clouds for an awning;
A town of fantasy and dreams,
A city realistic —
For many later years, it seems,
I've dwelt in Optimistic.

Though brightest hopes are over all,
Though storm or battle rages,
The pessimistic cities fall,
In peace or war through ages;
But I will take my oath (and back
My words in combat fistic),
No matter where the foes attack,
They won't take Optimistic.