[Magdalen] Flag Day USA 14th June

[cantor03 at aol.com]

Yesterday, 14th June was USA Flag Day.
Back in the day, we were required to memorize and
present before classmates this poem.  There was a
lot of poem memorization with an emphasis on USA
poets, but including others, then.  For instance I can still
recall Portia's Mercy Speech from the "Merchant of Venice."
Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
A dash of color beneath the sky:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!

Blue and crimson and white it shines,
Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.
Hats off!
The colors before us fly;
But more than the flag is passing by.

Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,
Fought to make and to save the State:
Weary marches and sinking ships;
Cheers of victory on dying lips;

Days of plenty and years of peace;
March of a strong land's swift increase;
Equal justice, right and law,
Stately honor and reverend awe;

Sign of a nation, great and strong
To ward her people from foreign wrong:
Pride and glory and honor,--all
Live in the colors to stand or fall.

Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;
And loyal hearts are beating high:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by! 
Henry Holcomb Bennett
Poems by Henry H