Just in the shade of the arena’s gate,
They trooped and paused; and to the ranks of eyes
That questioned ere they drove them on to fate,
Steel-swift, steel-steady, did their answers rise--
“I fight to break the tyranny I hate!”
“I come to tear the veil from ancient lies!”
“I seize the odds! Let others share the prize!”
“I fail, that some may conquer, soon or late!”
But one who bore, within that radiant line,
A look as cool as joy, as firm as pain,
And touched his sword, as some rapt village swain
Touches the cup that holds his wedding wine,
Spoke not, until they urged: “What aim is thine?”
“I fight, that none may ever fight again!”
--G. M. HORT, London _Nation_.
(2328)
=Pearl, The Unexpected=--See DISCOVERY, FORTUNATE.
=Pearls=--See APPRECIATION.
=Peccability of Men=--See VINCIBLENESS.
=Pedagog Rebuked=--See UNNATURAL EDUCATION.