II

Thou art the rock of empire, set mid-seas

Between the East and West, that God has built;

Advance thy Roman borders where thou wilt,

While run thy armies true with His decrees.

Law, justice, liberty -- great gifts are these;

Watch that they spread where English blood is spilt,

Lest, mixed and sullied with his country's guilt,

The soldier's life-stream flow, and Heaven displease!

Two swords there are: one naked, apt to smite,

Thy blade of war; and, battle-storied, one

Rejoices in the sheath, and hides from light.

American I am; would wars were done!

Now westward, look, my country bids good-night --

Peace to the world from ports without a gun!

The Little Book of Modern Verse A Selection from the Work of Contemporaneous American Poets · 第 15 / 218 题