Explore "The Shield" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Fight! said the Leader. Stand and fight! / How dare you yield! / What is the pain of the bitter blows, / The ache and sting and the blood that flows, / To a losing field!
Yea, said they, you may stand and fight; / We needs must yield! / What is the danger and pain to you, / When every blow falls fair and true / On your magic shield?
The magical cuirass over your breast, / Leather and steel, / Guarded like that, of course you dare / To meet the storm of battle there- / But we can feel!
The Leader fell where he fought alone. / See the lifeblood start / Where one more blow has pierced too far, / Through a bosom hardened with scar on scar,- / The only shield, the only bar, / For that great heart!