WHAT is diviner than the peace of foes! He conquers not who does not conquer hate, Or thinks the shining wheels of heaven wait On his forgiving. Dimmer the laurel shows On brows that darken; and war-won repose Is but a truce when heroes abdicate To Huns -- unfabling those of elder date Whose every corse a fiercer warrior rose. O ye that saved the land! Ah yes, and ye That mourned its saving! Neither need forget The price our destiny did of both demand -- Toil, want, wounds, prison, and the lonely sea Of tears at home. Oh, look on these. And yet -- Before the human fail you -- quick! your hand! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FLOWER GUIDANCE by ROBERT FROST THE FAMILY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD SONG: 4 by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS THE AEOLIAN HARP; AT THE SURF INN by HERMAN MELVILLE TWO WOMEN by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS EMERGENCY by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |