Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE VICTOR, by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE VICTOR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The live man victorious
Last Line: Came after in the night.
Alternate Author Name(s): Faulks, Frederick J., Mrs.
Subject(s): Immortality


THE live man victorious
Rode spurring from the fight;
In a glad voice and glorious
He sang of his delight
And dead men three, foot-loose and free,
Came after in the night.

And one laid hand on his bridle-rein --
Swift as the steed he sped --
"O, ride you fast, yet at the last,
Hate faster rides," he said.
"My sons shall know their father's foe
One day when blades are red."

And one laid hand on his stirrup-bar
Like touch o' driven mist,
"For joy you slew ere joy I knew
For one girl's mouth unkissed,
At your board's head, at mass, at bed,
My pale ghost shall persist."

And one laid hands on his own two hands,
"O Brother o' mine," quoth he,
"What can I give to you who live
Like gift you gave to me?
Since from grief and strife and ache o' life
Your sword-stroke made me free."

The live man victorious
Rode spurring from the fight;
In a glad voice and glorious
He sang of his delight,
And dead men three, foot-loose and free,
Came after in the night.





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