Classic Poem

In old Liége, when those dark tidings came
Of German honor callously forsworn,
And the red menace that should bring the scorn
Of ages on the Kaiser's name and shame,
And crown their city with a deathless fame,
The students wrote, they say, that summer morn
For their degrees, then joined the hope forlorn
Of Liberty, and passed in blood and flame.

O valiant souls! who loved not Duty less
Than Honor, whom no fears could move to shirk
The common task, no tyrant's threat subdue
When Right and Freedom called in their distress,—
Not vain your sacrifice nor lost your work:
The World's free heart beats high because of you!