They went forth to battle, but they always fell;
Their eyes were fixed above the sullen shields;
Nobly they fought and bravely, but not well,
And sank heart-wounded by a subtle spell.
They knew not fear that to the foeman yields,
They were not weak, as one who vainly wields
A futile weapon; yet the sad scrolls tell
How on the hard-fought field they always fell.
It was a secret music that they heard,
A sad sweet plea for pity and for peace;
And that which pierced the heart was but a word,
Though the white breast was red-lipped where the sword
Pressed a fierce cruel kiss, to put surcease
On its hot thirst, but drank a hot increase.
Ah, they by some strange troubling doubt were stirred,
And died for hearing what no foeman heard.
They went forth to battle, but they always fell;
Their might was not the might of lifted spears;
Over the battle-clamor came a spell
Of troubling music, and they fought not well.
Their wreaths are willows and their tribute, tears;
Their names are old sad stories in men’s ears;
Yet they will scatter the red hordes of Hell,
Who went to battle forth and always fell.
_Roy Helton_
Roy Helton was born at Washington, D. C., in 1886. He graduated from
the University of Pennsylvania in 1908. He studied art—and found he
was color-blind. He spent two years at inventions—and found he had
no business sense. After a few more experiments, he became a
schoolmaster in West Philadelphia.
Helton’s first volume, _Youth’s Pilgrimage_ (1915), is a strange,
mystical affair, full of vague symbolism with a few purple patches.
_Outcasts in Beulah Land_ (1918) is entirely different in theme and
treatment. This is a much starker verse; a poetry of city streets,
direct and sharp.