NO MAN'S LAND.
239
Who sings of valor speaks for life, for death,
Beyond all death, and long as life is life,
In rippled waves the eternal air his breath
Eternal bears to stir all noble strife.
Dead Homer from his lost and vanished grave
Keeps battle glorious still and soldiers brave.
Beyond all death, and long as life is life,
In rippled waves the eternal air his breath
Eternal bears to stir all noble strife.
Dead Homer from his lost and vanished grave
Keeps battle glorious still and soldiers brave.
NO MAN'S LAND.
HO called it so? What accidentThe wary phase devised?
What wandering fancy thither went,
And lingered there surprised?
Ah, no man's land! O sweet estate
Illimitably fair!
No measure, wall, or bar or gate.
Secure as sky or air.
Illimitably fair!
No measure, wall, or bar or gate.
Secure as sky or air.
No greed, no gain; not sold or bought,
Unmarred by name or brand,
Not dreamed of or desired or sought,
Nor visioned, "no man's land."
Unmarred by name or brand,
Not dreamed of or desired or sought,
Nor visioned, "no man's land."
Suns set and rise, and rise and set,
Whole summers come and go;
And winters pay the summer's debt,
And years of west wind blow;
Whole summers come and go;
And winters pay the summer's debt,
And years of west wind blow;
