ARISE, THE DAY IS PASSING.
Arise! for the day is passing;
While you lie dreaming on,
Your brothers are cased in the armor,
And forth to the fight are gone;
Your place in the ranks awaits you,
Each man has a part to play;
The past and the future are nothing
In the face of stern to-day. Arise from your dreams of the future—
Of gaining a hard-fought field,
Of storming the airy fortress,
Of bidding the giant yield—
Your future has deeds of glory,
Of honor (God grant it may!);
But your arm will never be stronger,
Or needed as now, to-day. Arise! if the past detain 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. Arise! for the hour is passing;
The sound that you dimly hear
Is your enemy marching to battle!
Rise! rise! for the foe is near!
Stay not to brighten your weapons,
Or the hour will strike at last,
And from dreams of a coming battle,
You will wake, and find it past.
[Household Words.]