STANZAS IN JUST THE RIGHT TONE FOR THE SPIRITED GENTLEMEN WHO WOULD CONQUER MEXICO
Reading edition
Alexander Would I might waken in you Alexander, Murdering the nations wickedly, Flooding his time with blood remorselessly, Sowing new Empires, where the Athenian light, Knowledge and music, slay the Asian night, And men behold Apollo in the sun. God make us splendid, though by grievous wrong. God make us fierce and strong.
Mohammed Would that on horses swifter than desire We rode behind Mohammed ’round the zones With swords unceasing, sowing fields of bones, Till New America, ancient Mizraim, Cry: “Allah is the God of Abraham.” God make our host relentless as the sun, Each soul your spear, your banner and your slave, God help us to be brave.
Napoleon Would that the cold adventurous Corsican Woke with new hope of glory, strong from sleep, Instructed how to conquer and to keep More justly, having dreamed awhile, yea crowned With shining flowers, God-given; while the sound Of singing continents, following the sun, Calls freeborn men to guard Napoleon’s throne Who makes the eternal hopes of man his own.