Hark, for we have need to listen! 
All our martyrs warn and shame us. 
Do not let them see us cowards! 
Why are all these faint-heart whispers
In the very hour of progress?

Tattles of disquiet vex us,
And among us are new enemies—­
Cowards, weak, ignoble whiners,
Esaus, placemen, low-browed livers,
Traitors, salesmen of a nation. 
Some would have us drop despondent
And convince us we are nothing. 
(Us of whom ten thousand heroes
Hitherto to here have conquered
And we must be faithful to them!)
Some are hypocrites and cynics;
Some would wreck us; some would leave us;
Even in the hour of peril
Would the hand of many fail us;
They would almost make to falter
  Our old simple faith in God.

Therefore this appeal, O brothers,
Earnestly do I adjure you
  To believe and trust your country.

By the glorious star of England,
Shining mast-high o’er all oceans;
In the name of France the glorious;
In the world-proud name of Europe;
Whence you draw your great traditions;
  I adjure you trust your country!

By all noble thoughts of manhood;
By the toil of your forefathers;
By their sacrifices for you;
By the Loyalist tradition;
And your own heart’s generous instincts;
  I adjure you be Canadian.

II.

“Is there a place, a work, a rank
  Our Canada is called to fill:—­
She has but struggled till she sank
  Hers is it but to toil and till: 
No seat among the peoples ours.”—­
So speaks the Tempter in our bowers. 
So soft he presses on his bonds:—­
But hark! a softer voice responds: 

“Behold, Canadians, this your place,
Your task, your rank, in earth and heaven
To make you an especial race
  To God and human progress given.” 
Too holy is the task for jeers,
Too lofty to permit of fears.

Ignoble is the fear of loss;
  The call of honour all demands! 
What thought those generous hearts of dross
  Who sowed our races in these lands? 
Who blames the Loyalist of pelf? 
Champlain, what cared he for himself?

Ignoble is the dread of harm:—­
  Expurge it for a nobler creed! 
Until we smile at all alarm
  Poor will be our Canadian breed. 
He may not count on victories
Who will not die as patriot dies.

Ignoble the consent to take
  The light opinions of our worth
That strangers condescending make
  Who own not better brains nor birth:—­
Children of men who toiled and fought,
Build your own fate; respect your lot.

Arise!  Live out a larger dream—­
  Your nation’s that ye may be man’s: 
Advance; invent; improve; the gleam
  Of dawn for all illume your plans! 
Greece lived! the world requires again
The lives of nations and of men!