64 



Bird Day Book 



"THE LITTLE MEN IN GREEN" 



IN SILENCE soft they listen, 

 But not for tuck of drum ; 

 They wait on pleading bugle, 

 But only one word, "Come !" 

 And rank on rank, in billions. 

 With crowded bayonets keen. 

 Shall rise, implacable and sure, 

 The Little Men in Green. 



They bivouac in the dooryard. 

 They camp in every field ; 

 They number as the star dust, 

 , And might is their shield. 

 A word will set them springing 

 From every eager sod, 

 A host no man can number, 

 Invincible as God. 



They sink the potent plowshare. 

 And lay the furrows wide. 

 For they're Jehovah's trenches, 

 And there His hosts abide. 

 Can man withstand His maker? 

 Shall hate its victory glean 

 When Freedom's soil hath marshaled 

 Her Little Men in Green? 



Put in the homely plowshare, 

 Thrust deep the sturdy spade ; 

 A child's weak hands, unaided. 

 Shall arm a new brigade ; 

 Tall grenadiers in tassels 

 From Illinois' wide plain 

 Shall fight for famished Poland 

 And help to free Lorraine. 



