Foreign Missions in Battle Array

Vachel Lindsay 1879 (Springfield) – 1931 (Springfield)



An endless line of splendor,
These troops with heaven for home,
With creeds they go from Scotland,
With incense go from Rome.
These, in the name of Jesus,
Against the dark gods stand,
They gird the earth with valor,
They heed their King's command.

Onward the line advances,
Shaking the hills with power,
Slaying the hidden demons,
The lions that devour.
No bloodshed in the wrestling, —
But souls new-born arise
The nations growing kinder,
The child-hearts growing wise.

What is the final ending?
The issue, can we know?
Will Christ outlive Mohammed?
Will Kali's altar go?
This is our faith tremendous, —
Our wild hope, who shall scorn, —
That in the name of Jesus
The world shall be reborn!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

37 sec read
93

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABXBCDAD XAXAEFAF EGXGCHCH
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 709
Words 124
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8

Vachel Lindsay

Nicholas Vachel Lindsay was an American poet. more…

All Vachel Lindsay poems | Vachel Lindsay Books

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