Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/91

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Why must we toil? Here is enough for all! To-morrow shall our sons take up the task. But, lest the cities of our people fall, Guard Thou our continent! 'Tis all we ask. To-morrow shall our sons go bravely forth, With banners, and in goodly armour decked. To-morrow shall they journey to the North, And do them penance for their sires' neglect.

But yesterday our fathers hither came, Rovers and strangers on a foreign strand. Must we, for their neglect, bear all the blame? Nay, Master, we have come to love our land! But see, the task Thou givest us is great; The load is heavy and the way is long! Hold Thou our enemy without the gate; When we have rested then shall we be strong.

Lord, Thou hast spoken. . . And, with hands to ears, We would shut out the thunder of Thy voice That in the nightwatch wakes our sudden fears— "The day is here, and yours must be the choice. Will ye be slaves and shun the task of men?    Will ye be weak who may be brave and strong?" We wave our banners boastfully, and then, Weakly we answer, "Lord, the way is long!"