Remember, Love

Oh, would you have me linger here
  To dally, Love, with you,
While Duty’s voice is calling clear
  Across the waters blue?
                    Remember, Love,
’Tis Duty’s hand that brings to you
  Honor’s brightest bloom;
’Tis Duty’s voice that sings to you
  To banish fear and gloom.
’Tis Duty’s heart that cares for you,
’Tis Duty’s arm that bares for you,
And do or die it dares for you.
                    Remember, Love.

Oh, look not so reproachful, Love,
  From tender eyes and true;
I hold not Duty’s voice above
  The call of heart, of home, of you.
                    Remember, Love.
To me you’ll ever be the same,
  And nearest when I’m far;
For Duty’s but your other name
  Amid the smoke of war.
Thus Love and Duty cry to me,
And all mankind they tie to me;
Nor faith in God can die to me.
                    Remember, Love.

If you should ever call me, Love,
  Across the distant blue;
If you should ever call, and I
  Should fail to answer you,
                    Remember, Love.
I am the star that glows for you
  Beyond the realm of night.
I’m the flag I waved for you,
And with my life-blood laved for you.
I’m all things Duty saved for you.
                    Remember, Love.

—Ernest Neal
from Yonah and Other Poems