Armorers met me at the marge of life, Weapon-bearers, calling each his ware, -- How this shining sword, that sinuous knife, Fashioned for the strife In the forest depths that lay before, Would ward off malice or could pierce despair, Or this shield affright All the hissing snakes in envy's hair, Or, when temptation's sudden arrow sped, How this buckler of stern proof and bright Glanced the shaft, the tempter overbore; Or this helm securely vizarded Turned the thrusts of mockery and spite. Loudly "Arm you! Arm you!" rose their cry; And I chose a shield, indifference, And a blade, sharp wit, for my defense. Close-meshed mail beneath my gabardine Glittered all unseen. Proud I strode and whirled my sword on high. Then my friend went by, Passing in his shining joy unarmed, With not even an amulet that charmed; Singing for the innocence confessed In his sparkling eyes, his buoyant breast; Swiftly, gaily thrusting through the trees To his deep and darkling forest doom As I thought. But still before me goes, Blithe and wonderful, his candid smile Every ambushed shadow to illume, And the quickening sympathy that glows Sudden on his cheek when friends seem foes, And his utter radiance without guile, Merry ignorance, where I am -- wise? Where they lurk and snarl and close with me All unscathed of foemen passeth he Seeing no strife, unarmed eternally. . . . And e'en the Terrors turn away their eyes! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHILD'S EVENING HYMN by SABINE BARING-GOULD SAME COTTAGE - BUT ANOTHER SONG, OF ANOTHER SEASON by HENRY MAXIMILIAN BEERBOHM MISTRESS FATE by WILLIAM ROSE BENET KINDLY VISION by OTTO JULIUS BIERBAUM |