Page:Poems of Patriotism (1942).djvu/62

 They weaken in spirit when trials grow great,
 * They flinch at the clashing of steel;

They talk of the strength of the foe at the gate
 * And whine at the hurts that they feel.

They begin to regret having ventured for right,
 * They sigh that they dared to be true,

They haven’t the heart they once had for the fight,
 * They don’t want to see the job through.

We have set out to battle for justice and truth,
 * We have fearful disasters to meet;

We shall weep for the best of our manliest youth,
 * We shall suffer the pangs of defeat.

But let us stand firm for the cause that we plead,
 * Let the many be brave with the few;

The cry of the quitter let none of us heed
 * Till we’ve done what we started to do.