Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/299

Rh Gave Death for man, so nobly gave they Life:

Those the great days, and that the heroic age."

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

(IN MEMORY OF JOE EVANS)

much of praise for the quick, pitiless blow!

Justice doth lean on strength, full well we know;

But the sharp, glittering sword that strikes for right

Takes fame too easily. Thank Heaven for might,

Which is Heaven's servant, oft! Yet he's not man

Who, when the heart's afire, no brave deed can.

Praise thou the clencht fist that, when blood is hot,

On itself tightens, but descendeth not.

Ay, praise the sword undrawn, the bolt unsped,

The rage supprest till the true word is said.

Might of the spirit, this shalt thou extol,

And holy weakness of the conquering soul.

And on this day, when one well loved has past

From suffering to the unknown peace, at last,

Would I might praise, as nobly as I ought,

The hero-soldier who no battle fought—

Or, rather, one who, facing fate's worst frown,

The spirit's sword but with his life laid down.

The soul that from that body, bent and frail,

Peered out, did at no earthly terror quail.

To face an army he was brave enough;

Martyrs and conquerors are of that stuff.

And in the civic conflict that was waged

Year after year, his knightly spirit raged;

He could not bear his country should have blame,

So this slight warrior did the mighty shame.