Page:Main Street and other poems, Kilmer, 1917.djvu/41

MAIN STREET AND OTHER POEMS

THE PROUD POET (continued) There was Byron who left all his lady-loves to fight against the Turk,

And David, the Singing King of the Jews, who was born with a sword in his hand.

It was yesterday that Rupert Brooke went out to the Wars and died,

And Sir Philip Sidney's lyric voice was as sweet as his arm was strong;

And Sir Walter Raleigh met the axe as a lover meets his bride,

Because he carried in his soul the courage of his song.

"And there is no consolation so quickening to the heart

As the warmth and whiteness that come from the lines of noble poetry.

It is strong joy to read it when the wounds of the spirit smart,

It puts the flame in a lonely breast where only ashes be. [ 35 ]