WITH half his arm in running water David groped for rounded pebbles; Kneeling by the brook, he sought there Till he found five that were good: O that I had been by then, When at last he upright stood, Choicest of the sons of men! While round his feet in rippling trebles Water crooned across the pebbles. He was young and fair to see In his shepherd's dress; His spirit and his limbs felt free, Quit then of their late distress When he, caged in king Saul's casque and gaunt war suit, Had said, "I cannot go in these, Since their use I have not tested," would not do it Even a king to please. He left that clear and purling water; Only one of his five stones Did he use, yet mighty slaughter On the Philistines ensued: O that I had heard the shout, When that stone had been proved good, Done its work beyond a doubt! While ended felled Goliath's groans, And no need for further stones. It is always good to be Where long-sighed-for things Are done with that felicity Every hero with him brings, When he must be up and doing, steps forth lightly, Nor needs fear's casque and mail to don; Sure, he who acteth simply, bravely, rightly, Hath trustier armour on. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOVER TO THE THAMES OF LONDON TO FAVOUR HIS LADY ... by GEORGE TURBERVILLE CORYDON - A PASTORAL by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE BIRDS: THE HOOPOE'S CALL TO THE BIRDS by ARISTOPHANES CAVE TALK by JOSEPH WARREN BEACH PSALM 86 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE THE PYXIDANTHERA by AUGUSTA COOPER BRISTOL ABSENT YET PRESENT by EDWARD GEORGE EARLE LYTTON BULWER-LYTTON THE WANDERER: 1. IN ITALY: THE STORM by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |