Poems: New and Old (Newbolt)/The Volunteer
The Volunteer
"He leapt to arms unbidden,Unneeded, over-bold;His face by earth is hidden,His heart in earth is cold.
"Curse on the reckless daringThat could not wait the call,The proud fantastic bearingThat would be first to fall!"
O tears of human passion,Blur not the image true;This was not folly's fashion,This was the man we knew.