 | Poems by James Rhoades |  |
79
FAILURE.
Victor, from the fight disrobing!
Lover, now that heaven's attain'd!
Ere the shouts be lost in sobbing,
The clear heaven with storm-cloud stain'd,
Lover, now that heaven's attain'd!
Ere the shouts be lost in sobbing,
The clear heaven with storm-cloud stain'd,
Mind ye 'mid your golden sunset,
Or triumphant trumpet's sound,
Hearts as brave, yet brok'n in onset,
Lovers, but with love uncrowned?
Or triumphant trumpet's sound,
Hearts as brave, yet brok'n in onset,
Lovers, but with love uncrowned?
Heed not; pay no vain recital,
Tithes of pity, praise, or tears—
Glorious in their unrequital,
Richer for the world's arrears!
Tithes of pity, praise, or tears—
Glorious in their unrequital,
Richer for the world's arrears!
80
Though your fame wax old before ye,
Though Love's leaf with frost be curl'd,
Justice bares for these her glory,
Veil'd but from the vulgar world;
Though Love's leaf with frost be curl'd,
Justice bares for these her glory,
Veil'd but from the vulgar world;
Where they strawed, who reap but stubble,
Silent and unseen She stands,
With a look that makes more noble
Than the kiss of sceptred hands;
Silent and unseen She stands,
With a look that makes more noble
Than the kiss of sceptred hands;
And a crown She weaves for ever—
Bloodless thorn and sweeten'd rue—
For each noble lost endeavour
Of the souls that died to do.
Bloodless thorn and sweeten'd rue—
For each noble lost endeavour
Of the souls that died to do.
| Poems by James Rhoades | |