Victory Gained And Life Lost

As fought the Paladins of old,
With gleaming swords and spirit bold,
To thwart the schemes of base Lothar,
Give France to Karl in holy war,
So would we battle for the right,
Tho' we may perish in the fight.

Our trusty blade, not made of steel,
While wounding deep, doth also heal;
With this, and clad in Christian mail,
The hosts of sin we would assail,
To gain the world for Christ, tho' we
Should fall while shouting victory!

Joseph Horatio Chant

Joseph Horatio Chant was a Canadian poet known for his religious and nature-inspired verse. He worked as a farmer and later became an ordained Methodist minister, which influenced his poetry. Chant's work gained modest recognition for its sincere exploration of faith and the Canadian landscape, contributing to the country's early literary heritage. He lived and wrote during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Joseph Horatio Chant

She Dearly Loved The Flowers

Joseph Horatio Chant, Simple Poetry

He Shall Wipe Away Every Tear

Joseph Horatio Chant, Simple Poetry

Men Below Deck

Joseph Horatio Chant, Simple Poetry

Life

Joseph Horatio Chant, Simple Poetry

English

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I Was There

When the French soldier from the field returned,
Begrimed with smoke and blood, he felt content,
As from Napoleon he this fact had learned,
That thro' his marshall, medals would be sent,
The name of battlefield each one would bear,
And, also, in large letters, "I was there."

In others' triumphs we may well rejoice,
If in their triumphs good to us redounds;
But in the glory we can have no choice,
And our rejoicings are but empty sounds.
If you would in the victor's glory share,
Be then prepared to add this, "I was there!"

The victor's joy belongs to him alone;
He stood his ground 'midst storms of shot and shell;
Thro' his brave stand the foe has been o'erthrown,
And he alone the victor's tale can tell.
He now lies down to die 'neath glory's glare,

Joseph Horatio Chant

Battle Of The Norsemen And The Gaels.

("Accourez tous, oiseaux de proie!")

[VII., September, 1825.]


Ho! hither flock, ye fowls of prey!
Ye wolves of war, make no delay!
For foemen 'neath our blades shall fall
Ere night may veil with purple pall.
The evening psalms are nearly o'er,
And priests who follow in our train
Have promised us the final gain,
And filled with faith our valiant corps.

Let orphans weep, and widows brood!
To-morrow we shall wash the blood
Off saw-gapped sword and lances bent,
So, close the ranks and fire the tent!
And chill yon coward cavalcade
With brazen bugles blaring loud,
E'en though our chargers' neighing proud
Already has the host dismayed.

Spur, horsemen, spur! the charge resounds!
On Gaelic spear the Northman bounds!

Victor-Marie Hugo

Victory

Though dead the flower,
That, from her tower,
Love flung you in some perfect hour:
Though quenched the light,
That, on the height,
Faith built, a beacon in the fight:
Though gone the star,
That, seen afar,
Hope lit to guide you through the war:
Yet draw your sword,
And shout your word,
And plunge into the battling horde!
Give Fate the lie!
And, live or die,
Yours, yours shall be the victory!

Madison Julius Cawein

To The Soldiers Of Pius Ninth.

Warriors true, 'tis no false glory
    For which now you peril life, -
For no worthless aim unholy,
    Do ye plunge into the strife;
No unstable, fleeting vision
    Bright before your gaze hath shone,
No day dream of wild ambition,
    Now your footsteps urges on:

But a cause both great and glorious,
    Worthy of a Christian's might,
One which yet shall be victorious, -
    'Tis the cause of God and right:
Men! by aim more pure and holy
    Say, could soldiers be enticed?
Strike for truth and conscience solely,
    Strike for Pius and for Christ.

Even like the brave Crusaders -
    Heroes true and tried of old,
You would check the rash invaders
    Of all that we sacred hold.
And though hosts your steps beleaguer,
    Fu...

Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon

A Ballad of France

France tells the story, make our hearts know well,
Christ His Figure stands against the gates of hell:
Flame and shot may rive the fortress walls apart,
Christ the Crucified will heal the breaking heart.

Wear Him day and night, wherever be the war,
(God save us evermore from Mars and Thor!)
Flag and heart that keep Him fear not shot and flame,
(Strengthen, Jesu, all who stand, calling Thy name).

* * *

Ye who guard a nation's call
And speed to arms therefor,
Ye who pray for brave lads gone
To perils of the war;
Soldiers of the fleet and fort
And mothers of our men,
In the shadow of the Cross
Shall we find peace again.

Michael Earls

Charge to the Knight of Malta

Air--Stephenos



Lo, a knight in armour standing,
    Ready for the foe;
Thee we greet, belov'd Companion,
    Thee we know.

Keep thine oath, oh new made soldier,
    Pledged in heaven's sight;
Nor forget the vow thou'st taken,
    Malta's knight.

By the banner, o'er us waving,
    By thy lance at rest,
Chiefly by that Cross emblazoned
    On thy breast.

In the heat of danger's trial,
    Dare the fiercest fight;
No desertion, no denial,
    Right or life!

See thou turn not from the conflict,
    On the battle field,
Though men bear a dying soldier
    On thy shield.

Let thy strong arm shield the helpless,
    And the feeble save;
Mercy's voice the true knight knoweth,

Harriet Annie Wilkins