In The Day of Battle

In the day of battle,
In the night of dread,
Let one hymn be lifted,
Let one prayer be said.
–
Not for pride of conquest,
Not for vengeance wrought,
Nor for peace and safety
With dishonour bought!
–
Praise for faith in freedom,
Our fighting fathers’ stay,
Born of dreams and daring,
Bred above dismay.
–
Prayer for cloudless vision,
And the valiant hand,
That the right may triumph
To the last demand.
– In The Day of Battle by William Bliss Carman