The Drum

From The Sun, August 2, 1914. By McLandburgh Wilson.

This earth is as a mighty drum
    Upon which beat the strokes of Fate,
While countermarching go and come
    The forces which decide our state.

Advance! and Science, Letters, Art
    Press forward, gaining every field;
Their banners conquer every heart
    And unknown foes before them yield.

Retreat! and dark barbaric hordes
    Enwrap all learning in a pall,
And Progress sinks beneath their swords
    As Greece and Rome were fain to fall.

Thus victory with each is cast,
    The endless battle never won,
Until upon the Drum at last
    Shall beat the Dirge and all be done.