The Free

The Free
1484

The carrion vultures of the town,
Who plunder a stricken foe,
But eagles eagles they who strike their
Alive, nor fear a blow prey
Bold hearts they be, and large and free
Is life as they bravely make it;
And thus they speak of the prize they seek,
“Behold; let the best man take it!”

Highwaymen of the empires these,
Upstanding men and brave,
And straight they speak and straight they shoot,
And sleep by an open grave
They range the earth for the thing of worth,
The life of the battle-line,
Their swords are sold, but not for gold-
They barter in Fate’s design

There’s a sign of war in the Southern sky,
And they come by one and two,
Fate led, hope sped, unheralded
To the chosen rendezvous
God speed you, mighty gentlemen!
(Mey never your hearts grow weak),
And send you life in the thick, hot strife
And the valiant deaths ye seek!