THEY asked him for his story, when he came Battered and glorious from the floating hell Where he had wrung his victory from death. But he, the hero, had no tale to tell -- Simply he gave them answer, with a smile That made them flinch and take a quicker breath -- "I only know we worked in sweat and flame "And it was well worth while." SO you shall stand some day, amazed and faint Among the wondering angels, file on file Of beautiful bright faces, all ablaze With your achievement, vivid with your praise, Asking of you, their bleeding warrior-saint, Your own triumphant tale of battle won. And you, who knew not all that you had done, Shall gaze bewildered on them, reeling yet From those long years of mortal weariness. No hope of this upheld you in the stress -- You only knew you wrought in blood and sweat, And it was well worth while. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GORSE by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON RELIGION AND DOCTRINE by JOHN MILTON HAY SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: HARRY WILMANS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE VANITY OF THE WORLD by FRANCIS QUARLES A CHRISTMAS FOLK-SONG by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE FOR YOU O DEMOCRACY by WALT WHITMAN |