Explore "On the Death of an Untried Soldier" by Helen Gray Cone on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
MOODS OF WAR
"_He was likely, had he been put on, / To have proved most royally; and for his passing / The soldiers' music and the rites of war / Speak loudly for him._" -- HAMLET.
He died in armor, died with lance in rest. / The trumpet had not sounded for the charge; / Yet shall his guerdon of golden fame be large, / For he was ready; he had met his test.
No sacrifice is more complete and clean / Than that in the locked soul, secret and still. / Take for a visible deed the perfect will; / Crown with sad pride the accomplishment unseen.
Hang his bright arms undinted on the wall. / In all brave colors whereto his dreams aspired / Blazon his blank shield as his heart desired, / And write above: "_The readiness is all._"