I lay a tattered flag before your feet In sign of conquest. Conquerors are proud Of a rent flag: each mouth that cries aloud Cries of a battle now twice won; defeat Gives up the right to every victory. It is my life: I bring it torn and stained Out of the battles I have lost and gained; Once captured, won back from the enemy At a great loss; yet, here I hold it still, My own, to render up as now I do; I render it up joyfully to you, Choosing defeat: do with it as you will. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PLACES: 4. EVENING (NAHANT) by SARA TEASDALE REVELATION by LOUIS UNTERMEYER HIGH FLIGHT by JOHN GILLESPIE MAGEE JR. TOM DEADLIGHT by HERMAN MELVILLE ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 3: 34. MUTABILITY by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE SLEEPY SONG by JOSEPHINE DODGE DASKAM BACON SONNET FROM JAPAN: 2. THE SHRINE OF THE PILGRIM SANDALS by ADELAIDE NICHOLS BAKER |