N.C. Wyeth: Illustrations to Poems of American Patriotism

Frontispiece

THE OLD CONTINENTALS
That is best blood that hath most iron in’t
To edge resolve with, pouring without stint
For what makes manhood dear.
 

PAUL REVERE
And yet, through the gloom and the light.
The fate of a nation was riding that night.
 

WARREN‘S ADDRESS
In the God of battles trust!
Die we may,—and die we must.
 

NATAN HALE
By starlight and moonlight.
He seeks the Briton’s camp.
 

 Washington
Dumb for himself, unless it were to God,
But for his barefoot soldiers eloquent.

BARBARA FRIETCHIE
“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your country’s flag,” she said.

THE PICKET GUARD
His musket falls slack—his face, dark and grim.
Grows gentle with memories tender,
As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep —
For their mother—may Heaven defend her!
 

JOHN BURNS OF GETTYSBURG
And some of the soldiers since declare
That the gleam of his old white hat afar.
Like the crested plume of the brave Navarre,
That day was their oriflamme of war.
 

 O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
O Captain ! My Captain ! our fearful trip is done.
The ship has weather’d every rock, the prize we sought is won.

GRANT

But lo, the man was here, and this was he;
And at his hands Faith gave us victory.
 

SHERMAN

Who fought for freedom, not glory; made war that war might cease.

 THE REGULAR ARMY MAN
He ain’t no Mama’s darling, but
He does the best he can,
And he’s the chap that wins the scrap.
The Regular Army Man.

OUR MOTHER

And great gray ships go down the tide
And carry her sons away.

THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

He is hailed by the time-crowned brotherhood.

Endpapers