Note 184 — Chapter XIII · QUAKERTOWN.
Reading edition
The following is from a poem by Mrs. Benham, entitled “Peace.”
Where is the nation brave enough to say,
“I have no need of sword, or shield, or gun;
I will disarm before the world this day;
I will stand free, though lonely, ’neath the sun.
“I fear no foe, since I am friend to all;
I fear no evil, since I wish no harm;
I will not keep my soldier sons in thrall;
They shall be slaves no more—let them disarm!”
That State will stand upon the heights of time
Foremost in honor, bravest of the brave;
Girded with glory, radiant, sublime,
This shall her title be, “The strong to save!”
While other nations boast of arms or art,
She, ’lone of earth shall stand, the truly great!
Brave in forbearance, loftiness of heart,
The world shall see, in her, a Christian State.
Boast not your bravery, O, ye fearful ones,
Ye trembling nations armed with coward steel,
Who hide yourselves behind your conscript sons
And trample freedom with an iron heel!
Vaunt not your righteousness, nor dare to call
Yourselves by His high name, the Prince of Peace,
The holy Christ of God, Who died for all,
That love might reign and sin and sorrow cease.
My country! O, my country! strong and free,
Dare thou the godlike deed that waits thy hand.
Within thy walls wed Peace to Liberty—
Say to thy soldier sons, “Disarm! Disband!”
Set thou the step for Freedom’s stately march;
The Old World after thee shall fall in line.
Follow the pole star crowning heaven’s high arch,
The Star of Peace with radiance divine.
“All men are equal!” graved in lines of light,
Through storm and stress this motto doth not fail;
All men are brothers! set thy virgin might
To prove man’s brotherhood; thou shalt prevail.
Thou shalt prevail, my country, in the strength
Of Him who guides the spheres and lights the sun;
And joy shall reign through all thy breadth and length,
And thou shalt hear the gracious voice, “Well done!”