“And He Said, Fight On”

Time and its ally, Dark Disarmament,
        Have compassed me about,
Have massed their armies, and on battle bent
            My forces put to rout;
But though I fight alone, and fall, and die,
            Talk terms of Peace? Not I.

They war upon my fortress, and their guns
            Are shattering its walls;
My army plays the cowards’ part, and runs,
            Pierced by a thousand balls;
They call for my surrender. I reply,
            “Give quarter now? Not I.”

They’ve shot my flag to ribbons, but in rents
            It floats above the height;
Their ensign shall not crown my battlements
            While I can stand and fight.
I fling defiance at them as I cry,
            “Capitulate? Not I.”