Explore "The Accolade" by Gilbert Parker on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Men of brave stature came and placed their hands / Upon my head, and, lifting shining swords, / Drew through the air signs mightier than words, / And vanished in the sun upon the sands.
Glimpses I caught of faces that have come / Through crowding ages; whisperings of songs; / And prayers for the redress of human wrongs / From voices that upon the earth are dumb.
They were but shadows, but they lent me joy; / They gave me reverence for all who pace / The world with hands raised, evil to destroy,
Who live but for the honour of their race.
They taught me to strike at no idol raised, / Worshipped a space, then left to be dispraised.