“And He Said, Fight On”

By E. Pauline Johnson

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.”

Credits

This poem is in the public domain.