Sonnets on the War By Alexander Smith and By the Author of "Balder" and "The Roman" [S. T. Dobell] |
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CHEER. |
 | Sonnets on the War |  |
39
CHEER.
A weak and tottering man our foes could see,—A child might trip him, but his simple name
Fenced us like armies: 'neath a load of fame
He rests from his long labour. Victory
Was his familiar, and where'er he went
She waited like a menial in his tent.
He sleeps with Nelson. Tho' fond England grieves,
Fame, as of old, builds 'neath her happy eaves.
Why should we fear? That fortress dark with ire,
Like a coiled scorpion in a ring of fire,
Shall fall. Before us to the unseen close
The future stretches without bound or mark,
And England fearless sails across the dark,
Leaving a trail of splendour as she goes.
| Sonnets on the War | |