Soon unlimber'd to begin the red business);

All the mutter of preparation, all the determin'd arming,

The hospital service, the lint, bandages, and medicines,

The women volunteering for nurses, the work begun for in earnest, no mere parade now;

War! an arm'd race is advancing, the welcome for battle, no turning away;

War! be it weeks, months, or years, an arm'd race is advancing to welcome it.

Mannahatta a-march—and it's O to sing it well!

It's O for a manly life in the camp.

And the sturdy artillery

The guns bright as gold, the work for giants, to serve well the guns,

Unlimber them! (No more as the past forty years for salutes for courtesies merely,

Put in something now besides powder and wadding.)

And you lady of ships, you Mannahatta,

Old matron of this proud, friendly, turbulent city,

Often in peace and wealth you were pensive or covertly frown'd amid all your children,

But now you smile with joy exulting old Mannahatta.

[Pg 21]

[Pg 21]

SONG OF THE BANNER AT DAYBREAK

 Poet

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