Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By WallaceRice

1481 Under the Stars

TELL me what sail the seas

Under the stars?

Ships, and ships’ companies,

Off to the wars.

Steel are the ship’s great sides,

Steel are her guns,

Backward she thrusts the tides,

Swiftly she runs;

Steel is the sailor’s heart,

Stalwart his arm,

His the Republic’s part

Through cloud and storm.

Tell me what standard rare

Streams from the spars?

Red stripes and white they bear,

Blue, with bright stars:

Red for brave hearts that burn

With liberty,

White for the peace they earn

Making men free,

Stars for the Heaven above,—

Blue for the deep,

Where, in their country’s love,

Heroes shall sleep.

Tell me why on the breeze

These banners blow?

Ships, and ships’ companies,

Eagerly go

Warring, like all our line,

Freedom to friend

Under this starry sign,

True to the end.

Fair is the Flag’s renown,

Sacred her scars,

Sweet the death she shall crown

Under the stars.