Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FAILURE, by WILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FAILURE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: For them that on the mountain fight beneath
Last Line: Unvigilant, unwounded; they but sheep!
Subject(s): Dreams; God; Life; Tears; Nightmares


For them that on the mountain fight beneath
The visioned ensigns of the unknown God,
Tho' battle-anguish be their only wreath,
Failure their palm, their victory the sod --
I have no tears. Compassion not that band,
Patriots, poets, dreamers, men of prayer,
The common reachers after right. The hand
Impelling them thus blindly to lay bare
Their hearts to that unequal contest, grants
Solace divine for their divine attempt.
For them that know not strife, nor hear the chants
Precedent to the bloody end's contempt --
For them unloose your tears! Their life is sleep,
Unvigilant, unwounded; they but sheep!





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