A YEAR ago red wrath and keen despair Spake, and the sole word from their darkness sent Laid low the lord not all omnipotent Who stood most like a god of all that were As gods for pride of power, till fire and air Made earth of all his godhead. Lightning rent The heart of empire's lurid firmament, And laid the mortal core of manhood bare. But when the calm crowned head that all revere For valor higher than that which casts out fear, Since fear came near it never, comes near death, Blind murder cowers before it, knowing that here No braver soul drew bright and queenly breath Since England wept upon Elizabeth. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A HYMN [TO THE NAME AND] IN HONOR OF SAINT TERESA by RICHARD CRASHAW WRITTEN ON A WALL AT WOODSTOCK by ELIZABETH I THE WILLOWS by FRANCIS BRET HARTE CASSANDRA SOUTHWICK; 1658 by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER TO THE SHIP OF STATE by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS EN PASSANT by EDITH COURTENAY BABBITT CLIO, NINE ECLOGUES IN HONOUR OF NINE VIRTUES: 5. OF TEMPERANCE by WILLIAM BASSE |