Valor and Innocence Have latterly gone hence To certain death by certain shame attended. Envy - ah! even to tears! - The fortune of their years Which, though so few, yet so divinely ended. Scarce had they lifted up Life's full and fiery cup, Than they had set it down untouched before them. Before their day arose They beckoned it to close - Close in destruction and confusion o'er them. They did not stay to ask What prize should crown their task, Well sure that prize was such as no man strives for; But passed into eclipse, Her kiss upon their lips - Even Belphoebe's, whom they gave their lives for! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET TO MRS. REYNOLD'S CAT by JOHN KEATS ROBERT BROWNING by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR BALLADE OF BLUE CHINA by ANDREW LANG THE DONG WITH A LUMINOUS NOSE by EDWARD LEAR OH, LOVE THOU TOO! by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS CESAR FRANCK by JOSEPH AUSLANDER |