The+Flag

September 22, 1862

The Flag
By George Henry Boker

Spirits of patriots, hail in heaven again The flag for which ye fought and died, Now that its field, washed clear of every stain, Floats out in honest pride!

Free blood flows through its scarlet veins once more, And brighter shine its silver bars; A deeper blue God’s ether never wore Amongst the golden stars.

See how our earthly constellation gleams; And backward, flash for flash, returns Its heavenly sisters their immortal beams With light that fires and burns,--

That burns because a moving soul is there, A living force, a shaping will, Whose law the fate-forecasting powers of air Acknowledge and fulfil.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">At length the day, by prophets seen of old, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Flames on the crimsoned battle-blade; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Henceforth, O flag, no mortal bought and sold, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Shall crouch beneath thy shade.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">That shame has vanished in the darkened past, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">With all the wild chaotic wrongs <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">That held the struggling centuries shackled fast <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">With fear’s accursed thongs.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Therefore, O patriot fathers, in your eyes <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">I brandish thus our banner pure: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Watch o’er us, bless us, from your peaceful skies, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">And make the issue sure!

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