Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HEROES, by EFFIE WALLER SMITH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HEROES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Men, for the sake of those they loved
Last Line: To him her best denied.
Subject(s): Heroism; Life; Love; Heroes; Heroines


Men, for the sake of those they loved,
Have met death unafraid,
Deeming by safety of their friends
Their life's loss well repaid.

Men have attained, by dauntless toil,
To purpose pure and high,
The darkness of their rugged ways
Lit by a loved one's eye.

Heroes were they, yet God to them
Gave not the task most hard,
For sweet it is to live or die
When love is our reward.

The bravest soul that ever lived
Is he, unloved, unknown,
Who has chosen to walk life's highest path,
Though he must walk alone;

Who has toiled with sure and steadfast hands
Through all his lonely days,
Unhelped by Love's sweet services,
Uncheered by Love's sweet praise;

Who, by no earthly honors crowned,
Kinglike has lived and died,
Giving his best to life, through life
To him her best denied.





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