The
greatest battle that ever was fought
Shall
I tell you where and when?
On
the maps of the world you will find it not:
It
was fought by the Mothers of Men.
Not
with cannon or battle shot,
With
sword or nobler pen;
Not
with eloquent word or thought
From
the wonderful minds of men;
But
deep in a walled up woman's heart;
A
woman that would not yield;
But
bravely and patiently bore her part;
Lo!
there is that battlefield.
No
marshaling troops, no bivouac song,
No
banner to gleam and wave;
But
Oh these battles they last so long
From
babyhood to the grave!
But
faithful still as a bridge of stars
She
fights in her walled up town;
Fights
on, and on, in the endless wars;
Then
silent, unseen goes down!
Ho!
ye with banners and battle shot,
With
soldiers to shout and praise,
I
tell you the kingliest victories fought
Are
fought in these silent ways.
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