The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
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VII.
THE LIGHT OF BATTLE, AND THE LIGHT OF LOVE
The light of battle and the light that gleams
From woman's eyes—these are the rays divine
That on the passionate heart of manhood shine
And fill life's highways with tempestuous dreams.
The sweetest light of all is that which streams
Along the glistening bayonets' serried line
When, just now, under growth of rose or pine
Love lightened forth:—how close the memory seems!
From woman's eyes—these are the rays divine
That on the passionate heart of manhood shine
And fill life's highways with tempestuous dreams.
The sweetest light of all is that which streams
Along the glistening bayonets' serried line
When, just now, under growth of rose or pine
Love lightened forth:—how close the memory seems!
Love in the heart, and the strong sword in hand:
The old Elizabethan bards loved so.
The heart of manhood has waxed faint and slow
To-day, and blood has left our thin-veined land,
And men have lost the power to understand
How through love's eyes the war-god's glances glow.
The old Elizabethan bards loved so.
The heart of manhood has waxed faint and slow
To-day, and blood has left our thin-veined land,
And men have lost the power to understand
How through love's eyes the war-god's glances glow.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |