And yet chief strength gives chiefest tenderness.— After the battle comes the calm of sleep Upon a woman's breast, and eyes that weep, And the superb and sorrowless caress. Oh, did not Christ, after the bitter stress Of unknown agony in the garden deep, Fruits of unknown unearthly triumph reap,— When, death being over, love leant down to bless? First, battle; after, woman. First the swords That mingle in the sweltering close @3mêlée,@1 And then the embrace yet closer that rewards Of one who watched from far the fierce fast fray. First, pitiless strife. Then woman who accords Gifts that blot out the blood-freaked dust-streaked day. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE FOUR COURTS, PLEASE by JAMES STEPHENS A QUESTION by JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE FRIAR JEROME'S BEAUTIFUL BOOK; A.D. 1200 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A SUMMER NIGHT by MATTHEW ARNOLD MORTAL JEALOUSY by PHILIP AYRES |