For them that on the mountain fight beneath The visioned ensigns of the unknown God, Tho' battle-anguish be their only wreath, Failure their palm, their victory the sod -- I have no tears. Compassion not that band, Patriots, poets, dreamers, men of prayer, The common reachers after right. The hand Impelling them thus blindly to lay bare Their hearts to that unequal contest, grants Solace divine for their divine attempt. For them that know not strife, nor hear the chants Precedent to the bloody end's contempt -- For them unloose your tears! Their life is sleep, Unvigilant, unwounded; they but sheep! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: DIPPOLD THE OPTICIAN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE HERETIC: 1. BLASPHEMY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE VOLUNTEER by ELBRIDGE JEFFERSON CUTLER CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMASSE EVE by ROBERT HERRICK THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS by ABRAHAM LINCOLN TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 2. O MIGHTY MOTHER by EDWARD CARPENTER |