Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HEROES, by M. FORREST First Line: In that valhalla where the heroes go Last Line: "pass in, mon brave,"" said that wise sentinel." Subject(s): World War I - Belgium | ||||||||
IN that Valhalla where the heroes go A careful sentinel paced to and fro Before the gate, burnt black with battle smoke, Whose echoes to the tread of armed men woke, And up the fiery stairs whose steps are spears Came the pale heroes of the bloodstained years. There were lean Cæsars from the glory fields With heart that only to a sword-thrust yields; And there were Generals decked in pride of rank, Red scabbard swinging from the weary flank; And slender youths, who were the sons of kings, And barons with their sixteen quarterings. And while the nobles went with haughty air The courteous sentinel questioned: "Who goes there?" And as each came, full lustily he cried His string of titles, ere he passed inside. ... And presently there was a little man, A silent mover in the regal van. His hand still grasped his rifle, and his eyes Seemed blinded with the light from Paradise. ... His was a humble guise, a modest air The sentinel held him sharply: "Who goes there?" There were no gauds tacked to that simple name, But every naked blade leapt out like flame, And every blue-blood warrior bowed his head "I am a Belgian," this was all he said. Men's cheering echoed thro' the battle's Hell "Pass in, mon brave," said that wise sentinel. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WIFE OF FLANDERS by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON TO BELGIUM; CROWNED WITH THORNS by HELEN GRAY CONE WAR (ON THE GERMAN INVASION OF BELGIUM) by EDWARD BLISS REED TO BELGIUM IN EXILE by OWEN SEAMAN A BALLADE OF BROKEN THINGS by BLANCHE WEITBREC LOST ILLUSIONS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: EUGENIA TODD by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE LAND OF DREAMS by WILLIAM BLAKE THE WILLIAM P. FRYE [FEBRUARY 28, 1915] by JEANNE ROBERT FOSTER |
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