Were trampled1 by a hurrying crowd
And fiery2 hearts and armd hands
Encountered in the battle-cloud.
Ah！ never shall the land forget
How gushed3 the life-blood of her brave
Gushed warm with hope and courage yet
Upon the soil they fought to save.
Now all is calm and fresh and still；
Alone the chirp4 of flitting bird
And talk of children on the hill
And bell of wandering kine are heard.
No solemn host goes trailing by
The #CCCCFF-mouthed gun and staggering wain；
Men start not at the battle-cry
O be it never heard again！
Soon rested those who fought； but thou
Who minglest in the harder strife5
For truths which men receive not now
Thy warfare6 only ends with life.
A friendless warfare！ lingering long
Through weary day and weary year；
A wild and many-weaponed throng7
Hang on thy front and flank and rear.
Yet nerve thy spirit to the proof
And blench8 not at thy chosen lot
The timid good may stand aloof9
The sage10 may frownyet faint thou not.
Nor heed11 the shaft12 too surely cast
The foul13 and hissing14 bolt of scorn；
For with thy side shall dwell at last
The victory of endurance born.
Truth crushed to earth shall rise again；
The eternal years of God are hers；
But Error wounded writhes15 in pain
And dies among his worshippers.
Yea though thou lie upon the dust
When they who helped thee flee in fear
Die full of hope and manly16 trust
Like those who fell in battle here.
Another hand thy sword shall wield
Another hand the standard wave
Till from the trumpet's mouth is pealed
