Victor And Vanquished

As one who long hath fled with panting breath
    Before his foe, bleeding and near to fall,
    I turn and set my back against the wall,
    And look thee in the face, triumphant Death,
I call for aid, and no one answereth;
    I am alone with thee, who conquerest all;
    Yet me thy threatening form doth not appall,
    For thou art but a phantom and a wraith.
Wounded and weak, sword broken at the hilt,
    With armor shattered, and without a shield,
    I stand unmoved; do with me what thou wilt;
I can resist no more, but will not yield.
    This is no tournament where cowards tilt;
    The vanquished here is victor of the field.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator. He wrote many lyric poems known for their musicality and often presenting stories of mythology and legend. Some of his famous works include "Paul Revere's Ride" and "The Song of Hiawatha." Longfellow was one of the most popular American poets of his time and remains a significant figure in the canon of American literature.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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English

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I

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Haughty thought be far from me;
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Ralph Waldo Emerson

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(March, 1862.)


Your honest heart of duty, Worden,
So helped you that in fame you dwell;
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("Allah! qui me rendra-")

[XVL, May, 1828.]


Oh, Allah! who will give me back my terrible array?
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