GREAT are the fallen of Thermopylae, Nobly they ended, high their destination -- Beneath an altar laid, no more a tomb, Where none with pity comes or lamentation, But praise and memory -- A splendour of oblation No rust shall blot nor wreckful Time consume. The ground is holy: here the brave are resting, And here Greek Honour keeps her chosen shrine. Here too is one the worth of all attesting -- Leonidas, of Sparta's royal line, Who left behind a gem-like heritage Of courage and renown, A name that shall go down From age to age. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN THIS AGE OF HARD TRYING, NONCHALANCE IS GOOD AND by MARIANNE MOORE THE ANGELS OF BUENA VISTA by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER PENITENTIAL PSALM by THOMAS WYATT GHOST STARS by MADELEINE AARON OUR SOLDIERS' SANTIAGO SONG by DAVID GRAHAM ADEE THE BELLS AT MIDNIGHT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |