Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, REMEMBER WARING! (THE CITY AGAINST TAMMANY), by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REMEMBER WARING! (THE CITY AGAINST TAMMANY), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Again the bugle-blow
Last Line: Remember waring.
Subject(s): Corruption In Politics; Tammany Hall, New York City


AGAIN the bugle-blow
To meet the common foe
Summons the daring.
Can ye not hear the call
Echo from every wall --
"Remember Waring"?

He stormed the fetid street
Where Death with rapid feet
Strode fierce and glaring.
Shall we forget, alone,
When every grateful stone
Remembers Waring?

He, to your service true;
He, in his love of you
Himself not sparing;
Whom gold could not allure;
Guardian of rich and poor --
Our soldier Waring!

He found a wretched throng --
Rescued from ancient wrong --
New burdens bearing;
And babes that he did save
Cry from a later grave:
"Remember Waring."

He dared a tropic hell
Of fever -- till he fell,
And we, despairing,
Knew that for us he died,
And in our grieving cried:
"Remember Waring!"

Shall we be less than they
Who make the poor their prey,
No least one sparing?
They praise him, though they fill
Each tainted purse; they still
Remember Waring.

How shall our deed atone
That nowhere bronze or stone
His name is bearing?
His ashes in their urn
With his old ardor burn,
And plead, for Waring:

"Oh, if the work I wrought
Be to your memory aught,
Now Greed is tearing
The crown from Freedom's brow,
Strike harder that you now
Remember Waring."

Then, ere the heart grow cold,
Let us on altars old
New vows be swearing:
"Perish the people's foe!
Scorn for his tool!" and so
Remember Waring.





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