The Warfare of Truth by William Cullen Bryant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1915

The Warfare of Truth

By William Cullen Bryant

A FRIENDLESS warfare! lingering long Through weary day and weary year; A wild and many-weaponsed throng Hang on thy front and flank and rear.

Yet nerve thy spirit to the proof, And blench not at thy chosen lot; The timid good may stand aloof, The sage may frown, yet faint thou not,

Nor heed the shaft too surely cast, The hissing, stinging bolt of scorn; For with thy side shall dwell, at last, The victory of endurance born.

Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again; The eternal years of God are hers; But Error, wounded, writhes with pain, And dies among his worshipers.

Yea, though thou lie upon the dust, When those who helped thee flee in fear, Die full of hope and manly trust, Like those who fell in battle here.

Another hand thy sword shall wield, Another hand the standard wave, Till from the trumpet’s mouth is pealed The blast of triumph o’er thy grave!

— William Cullen Bryant.