Brave knights of a knightly race,
Gordon, and Chambers, and Gray,
Show to the minions of the North
How Valor dares the fray!
Let them read on each stainless crest
At the belching cannon's mouth,
Decori decus addit avito,
Gentlemen of the South!
Morrison, Douglas, Stuart,
Erskine, and Bradford, and West,
Your gauntlets on many a bloody field
Have stood the battle's test!
Animo non astutia!
March to the cannon's mouth,
Heirs of the brave dead centuries! Onward,
Gentlemen of the South!
Call forth your stalwart men,
Workers in brass and steel!
Bid the swart artisans come forth
At sound of the trumpet's peal!
Give them your war-cry, Erskine!
Fight! to the cannon's mouth!
Bid the men Forward! Douglas, Forward!
Yeomanry of the South!
Brave hunters! Ye have met
The fierce black bear in the fray;
Ye have trailed the panther night by night,
Ye have chased the fox by day!
Your prancing chargers pant
To dash at the gray wolf's mouth,
Your arms are sure of their quarry! Onward!
Gentlemen of the South!
Fight! that the lowly serf
And the high-born lady still
May bide in their proud dependency,
Free subjects of your will!
Teach the base North how ill,
At the fiery cannon's mouth,
He fares who touches your household gods,
Gentlemen of the South!
From mother, and wife, and child,
From faithful and happy slave,
Prayers for your sakes ascend to Him
Whose arm is strong to save!
We check the gathering tears,
Though ye go to the cannon's mouth;
Dominus providebit! Onward,
Gentlemen of the South!
Memphis Appeal.