Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, REQUIEM FOR A DEAD WARRIOR, by EDGAR MCINNIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REQUIEM FOR A DEAD WARRIOR, by                    
First Line: Sleep on, brave heart, thy broken sword beside thee!
Last Line: O valiant heart, sleep on!
Subject(s): War


Sleep on, brave heart, thy broken sword beside thee!
The last red breach is stormed, the last foe slain
There is no strife nor sacrifice denied thee,
No trumpets call to fierce assault again.
Now with our bright blades sheathed
And colors laurel-wreathed
We come, thy comrades in the trampling fight,
And bear thee with a long, proud song
To the deep house of night.

II

Sleep on, brave heart! Our cause is ours no longer.
The world we saved rolls on without our aid.
We fought for right, but hate and fear are stronger;
We dreamed of peace and, dreams have been betrayed.
But never troubled breath
Can touch thee, who in death
Hast seen the flaming triumph of our wars,
Nor heartbreak find thy deep, sweet sleep
Beneath the quiet stars.

III

Sleep on! Sleep on! The winds of shame and sorrow
Blow mute above thy buried memory.
Thou wilt not wake to the inglorious morrow
That mocks our anguish and our victory.
Thy daring and thy pain,
Thy youth for visions slain,
Were crowned with honor in the crimson dawn,
And Death was to the end thy friend—
O valiant heart, sleep on!





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