Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
God Save the Nation
By Theodore Tilton (18351907)[Born in New York, N. Y., 1835. Died in Paris, France, 1907. The Sexton’s Tale, and Other Poems. 1867.—Thou and I. 1880.]
T
Famine, and fire, and sword, and lamentation,
Now unto Thee we lift our supplication—
God save the Nation!
Coming in clouds, while mortal men stand fearing,
Show us, amid the smoke of battle, clearing,
Thy chariot nearing.
Hurl Thou a thunderbolt from out Thy quiver!
Break Thou the strong gates! every fetter shiver!
Smite and deliver!
Then, in the blood-red Valley of Decision,
Clothe Thou the fields, as in the prophet’s vision,
With peace Elysian!