"Splendidly dead," who dares such maudlin singing! Seeger, Kilmer, Pearse, Brooke and Péguy— Men who would today be gladly bringing Daring gifts of song to tired humanity, Sacrificed to Power's lust for power, Masked beneath the lie: "For Home and Honor." "Splendidly dead"—the pride of manhood's flower Crucified upon the cross of horror? Face the truth; what need @3now@1 to dissemble? Mars and Kings have silenced all their singing; They are dust and yet we start and tremble At the white dove's perilous slow winging. ... Never I hear of their "splendid dying" But I hear the voice of lost song crying. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OF DISTRESS BEING HUMILIATED BY THE CLASSICAL CHINESE POETS by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE GIANT PUFFBALL by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN STANZAS FOR MUSIC (2) by GEORGE GORDON BYRON HENRY PURCELL by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE COUNTY OF MAYO by THOMAS LAVELLE |