THE sun had touched Cithaeron, and the air Lay violet along the Attic plain. "The risk is glorious, the hope is fair." He said -- as one that turns not back again. But they who closed about him would have kept That soul beloved until the last red ray, And even he who brought the hemlock wept; But nowise longer would he brook delay. At Athens long ago it was -- but still That sun seems gilding his undying phrase Which bids a failing mortal fear no ill, Though he has reached the outgate of his days. "The risk is glorious, the hope is fair" -- Close to the gate I hear, nor falter there. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MARY AND GABRIEL by RUPERT BROOKE WILLIE BREW'D A PECK O' MAUT by ROBERT BURNS THRENODY by RALPH WALDO EMERSON AN AUGUST MIDNIGHT by THOMAS HARDY IN TENEBRIS: 2 by THOMAS HARDY THE MARCH OF XERXES by LUIGI ALAMANNI |