A Call to National Service by Thomas Hardy
The work is a passionate call to action, urging individuals to rise and contribute to the nation during a time of crisis. It emphasizes the importance of collective effort and responsibility, appealing to both men and women from various walks of life to engage in service for the greater good. The speaker expresses a sense of urgency, rejecting complacency and advocating for proactive involvement in national affairs. The text reflects a deep-seated belief in the necessity of personal sacrifice and commitment to the community. It highlights the idea that every individual has a role to play, whether through physical labor, artistic endeavors, or intellectual contributions. The imagery of nature and the changing seasons serves as a metaphor for the need for renewal and action, suggesting that just as the earth requires tending, so too does the nation. The speaker's longing for the vigor and enthusiasm of past endeavors underscores a sense of nostalgia, while simultaneously calling for a revival of that spirit in the present. The tone is both urgent and motivational, aiming to inspire a sense of duty and pride in serving the country. The work ultimately champions the idea that through collective action and dedication, a resilient and thriving society can be achieved.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Patriotic Literature, Social Commentary · 174 words
First lines
UP and be doing, all who have a hand / To lift, a back to bend. It must not be / In times like these that vaguely linger we / To air our vaunts and hopes; and leave our land
Untended as a wild of weeds and sand. / -Say, then, "I come! " and go, O women and men / Of palace, ploughshare, easel, counter, pen; / That scareless, scathless, England still may stand.
Would years but let me stir as once I stirred / At many a dawn to take the forward track, / And with a stride plunged on to enterprize,
I now would speed like yester wind that whirred / Through yielding pines; and serve with never a slack, / So loud for promptness all around outcries!
What this Textopian page supports
A Call to National Service is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas Hardy, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Patriotic Literature, Social Commentary, Inspirational Literature, Historical Context
- Length: 174 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Call to National Service by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Patriotic Literature — The themes focus on national service and duty to one's country.
- Social Commentary — The text addresses societal responsibilities and the call to action for citizens.
- Inspirational Literature — The tone encourages individuals to take initiative and contribute positively.
Tags
national service · patriotism · duty · sacrifice · war · society · civic responsibility · volunteerism · service · community · identity · morality