Speak of her not with dull or careless reference, Gravely recall the bright name of the dead, The doom-defyer, forced at last to deference Before the mindless air, the dim sea-bed. She was all human, at once shrinking and furious. Pricked by a fear the brave alone endure (Strange cancer in a species frail and curious) She quenched her torment with a desperate cure. Foolish to wager all by man beloved? Swift lusty life so vainly fed to glory Only to win the grim eventual grave -- Yet this most wilful gesture, to the story Of human grandeur, fresh coronas gave. Speak of her proudly then, so valiant proved! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PALABRAS CARINOSAS (SPANISH AIR) by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE BALLAD OF ORISKANY by OBADIAH CYRUS AURINGER MASKS OF DEATH by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE IDLER'S CALENDAR; MAY: THE LONDON SEASON by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT LORD KITCHENER by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES |