PRATE not to me of weaklings, who Lament this life and naught achieve. I hymn the vast and valiant crew Of those who have scant time to grieve; Firm-set their fortunes to retrieve, They sing for luck a lusty stave, The world's staunch workers, by your leave, -- This is the ballade of the brave. Wan women, steel to staggering blows; White souls from many a nether place; The humble heroes and the foes Of sham; the hunters of the base. The men with missions in their face, The clan who straighten, heal and save; The young who think each card an ace, -- This is the ballade of the brave. Those who with stingless laugh and jest Sweeten the labor; those who stake Their all on some sky-reaching quest, Unconquerable for conscience' sake; The warriors who a last stand make, Though loss o'erwhelm them, wave on wave; Smiling, the while their hearts do break, -- This is the ballade of the brave. Brothers, it is a heavenly stake Ye play for, goodlier than the grave; Then play it well, for God's sweet sake, -- This is the ballade of the brave! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: BOMBER IN LONDON by RUDYARD KIPLING IN MEMORIAM (EASTER 1915) by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS DIRGE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE UNPARDONABLE SIN by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON |