Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By WallaceRice1481 Under the Stars
T
Under the stars?
Ships, and ships’ companies,
Off to the wars.
Steel are her guns,
Backward she thrusts the tides,
Swiftly she runs;
Stalwart his arm,
His the Republic’s part
Through cloud and storm.
Streams from the spars?
Red stripes and white they bear,
Blue, with bright stars:
With liberty,
White for the peace they earn
Making men free,
Blue for the deep,
Where, in their country’s love,
Heroes shall sleep.
These banners blow?
Ships, and ships’ companies,
Eagerly go
Freedom to friend
Under this starry sign,
True to the end.
Sacred her scars,
Sweet the death she shall crown
Under the stars.