[Written while a field-worker in the Anti-Saloon League of Illinois.]
King Arthur’s men have come again.
They challenge everywhere
The foes of Christ’s Eternal Church.
Her incense crowns the air.
The heathen knighthood cower and curse
To hear the bugles ring,
But spears are set, the charge is on,
Wise Arthur shall be king!
And Cromwell’s men have come again,
I meet them in the street.
Stern but in this – no way of thorns
Shall snare the children’s feet.
The reveling foemen wreak but waste,
A sodden poisonous band.
Fierce Cromwell builds the flower-bright towns,
And a more sunlit land!
And Lincoln’s men have come again.
Up from the South he flayed,
The grandsons of his foes arise
In his own cause arrayed.
They rise for freedom and clean laws
High laws, that shall endure.
Our God establishes his arm
And makes the battle sure!
(Vachel Lindsay)
More Poetry from Vachel Lindsay:
Vachel Lindsay Poems based on Topics: Kings & Queens, War & Peace, Wisdom & Knowledge, Children, Christianity, Jesus Christ, Law & Regulation- Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- An Indian Summer Day on the Prairie (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- A Colloquial Reply: To Any Newsboy (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- The Perfect Marriage (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: War & Peace Poems, Christianity Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Jesus Christ Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge Poems, Law & Regulation Poems, Children PoemsBased on Keywords: illinois, arthur, poisonous, bugles, knighthood, grandsons, foemen, flayed, cower, wreak, cromwell