---

Oliver Wendell Holmes - God Save The Flag
Work rating: Medium

Washed in the blood of the brave and the blooming, 
Snatched from the altars of insolent foes, 
Burning with star-fires, but never consuming, 
Flash its broad ribbons of lily and rose.

Vainly the prophets of Baal would rend it, 
Vainly his worshippers pray for its fall; 
Thousands have died for it, millions defend it, 
Emblem of justice and mercy to all;

Justice that reddens the sky with her terrors, 
Mercy that comes with her white-handed train, 
Soothing all passions, redeeming all errors, 
Sheathing the sabre and breaking the chain.

Borne on the deluge of all usurpations, 
Drifted our Ark o`er the desolate seas, 
Bearing the rainbow of hope to the nations, 
Torn from the storm-cloud and flung to the breeze!

God bless the Flag and its loyal defenders, 
While its broad folds o`er the battle-field wave, 
Till the dim star-wreath rekindle its splendors, 
Washed from its stains in the blood of the brave!
Source
The script ran 0.001 seconds.