Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO HARRY WAKELYN SMITH, by AUSTIN PHILIPS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO HARRY WAKELYN SMITH, by                    
First Line: Not as that other man who, slow to see
Last Line: They set your altar in the heart of youth!
Subject(s): Altars; Friendship; Honor; Service


NOT as that other man who, slow to see,
And blind to all the human heart holds hid,
Had crushed a thousand souls complacently,
Making it all a lifetime's work to rid
Youth of its best and rarest, and had bid
Nothing be born; but strove perpetually
To kill, had killed, and hugged his victory ...
Master and Friend, not as that man you did!

At Youth's white altars it was yours to place
The splendid sacrifice and lift the pray'r:
Surely the High Gods turned a gracious face,
Heard, and were glad to see you standing there ...
For you that served had Service: in their ruth,
They set your altar in the heart of Youth!





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