SPIRITS of old that bore me, And set me, meek of mind, Between great dreams before me, And deeds as great behind, Knowing humanity my star As first abroad I ride, Shall help me wear, with every scar, Honor at eventide. Let claws of lightning clutch me From summer's groaning cloud, Or ever malice touch me, And glory make me proud. O give my youth, my faith, my sword, Choice of the heart's desire: A short life in the saddle, Lord! Not long life by the fire. Forethought and recollection Rivet mine armor gay! The passion for perfection Redeem my failing way! The arrows of the tragic time From sudden ambush cast, With calm angelic touches ope My Paradise at last! I fear no breathing bowman, But only, east and west, The awful other foeman Impowered in my breast. The outer fray in the sun shall be, The inner beneath the moon; And may Our Lady lend to me Sight of the Dragon soon! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ASPATIA'S SONG, FR. THE MAID'S TRAEGDY by JOHN FLETCHER THE EAGLE THAT IS FORGOTTEN by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY PASSER MORTUUS EST by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE BRAVEST BATTLE by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER OUR STATE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER TO A WOMAN by KENNETH SLADE ALLING THE AGNOSTIC by MATHILDE BLIND |