O that this weary war of life With me were o'er, Its eager cry of woe and strife Heard never more! I've fronted the red battle field Mine own dark day; I fain would fling the helmet, shield, And sword away. I strive not now for victory ''" That wish hath fled; My prayer is now to numbered be Among the dead ''" All that I loved, alas! ''" alas! Hath perished! They tell me 'tis a glorious thing, This wearing war; They tell me joy crowns suffering And bosom scar. Such speech might never pass the lips That could unfold How shrinketh heart when sorrow nips Affections old: When they who cleaved to us are dust, Why live to moan? Better to meet a felon thrust Than strive alone ''" Hotter than loveless palaces The churchyard stone! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MARRIAGE (1) by TIMOTHY LIU ODE, FR. THE PASSIONATE PILGRIM by RICHARD BARNFIELD THE CHILTERNS by RUPERT BROOKE SYMPATHY (2) by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR LA BELLA BONA ROBA by RICHARD LOVELACE ON THE SITE OF A MULBERRY-TREE PLANTED BY SHAKESPEARE ... by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI TO A FRIEND WHOSE WORK HAS COME TO NOTHING by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |