Gentlemen

Little hands around you—solemn soldier toy.
Storms outside surround your sleeping hero boy.
Alas! Amass dear gentlemen,
Your foes now row ashore.
Surprise! All wise and wearied men.
Again I call you more.
Light the fright in fools afar lest they come here cold.
For daughters and good mothers.
The souls not to be sold.
Rise up! All true gentlemen—garner here a horde.
Stones pile on the parapets and arms drive for the ford.
Calling every gentleman! Steel and anvil strikes.
Red blood beyond the waterway—carries the pagan pikes.
Goodnight, my bonny lad.
Foes will rise and fall.
Kisses in the morning—if father kills them all.