Page:Poems, Volume 1, Coates, 1916.djvu/170



RITANNIA, they who perished here have crowned thee—

Have proved the dauntless temper of thy soul;

Great memories of the past, through them have found thee

Intrepid as of old, untouched and whole.

Triumphant Mother! Make an end to sighing

For these, thrice happy!—with sonorous breath

Let bugles sing their requiem who are lying

In all the full magnificence of death!

They knew not failure: dream and aspiration

They knew, indeed, and love, and noble joy;

And at the last faith brought them the elation

That Destiny is powerless to destroy.

The utmost summit of desire attaining,

What further is there left deserving strife?

Ah, there is still the peerless hope remaining,—

In death to prove one's worthiness of life!