Rise!for the day is passing,And you lie dreaming on;The others have buckled their armour,And forth to the fight are gone:
A place in the ranks awaits you,Each man has some part to play;The Past and the Future are nothing,In the face of the stern To-day.
Rise from your dreams of the Future -
Of gaining some hard-fought field;
Of storming some airy fortress,Or bidding some giant yield;Your Future has deeds of glory,Of honour (God grant it may!)But your arm will never be stronger,Or the need so great as To-day.
Rise!if the Past detains you,Her sunshine and storms forget;No chains so unworthy to hold you As those of a vain regret:
Sad or bright,she is lifeless ever,Cast her phantom arms away,Nor look back,save to learn the lesson Of a nobler strife To-day.
Rise!for the day is passing:
The sound that you scarcely hear Is the enemy marching to battle -Arise!for the foe is here!
Stay not to sharpen your weapons,Or the hour will strike at last,When,from dreams of a coming battle,You may wake to find it past!
