So gladly, from the songs of modern speech KING HENRY BEFORE HARFLEUR (From King Henry V) BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more; In peace there's nothing so becomes a man But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Let it pry through the portage of the head O'erhang and jutty his confounded base, Fathers that, like so many Alexanders, Have in these parts from morn till even fought That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you. And teach them how to war. And you, good yeomen, The mettle of your pasture; let us swear That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not; UNREST BY DON MARQUIS A fierce unrest seethes at the core It was the eager wish to soar That gave the gods their wings. From what flat wastes of cosmic slime, Men risen out of mire! There throbs through all the worlds that are This heart-beat hot and strong And shaken systems, star by star, Awake and glow in song. But for the urge of this unrest When man's dim eyes demanded light From deed to dream, from dream to deed, The restless wish, the instant need, I sing no governed firmament, I sing the stinging discontent EXULTATION BY SHAEMAS O'SHEEL When the full-bosomed and free-limbed Spring Roaring her rousing and lusty song Comes along With a swirl and swing, Stirring the blood with the wind of her wing, From the old earth's heart, And the birds are twitt'ring by twos apart; Stronger than death or anything, That is when life is a lusty song On the lips of exultant Spring! From SURSUM CORDA BY EDITH M. THOMAS Up and rejoice, and know thou hast matter for revel, my heart! Up and rejoice, not heeding if drawn or undrawn be the dart Last winged by the Archer whose quiver is full for sweeter than thou, That yet will sing out of the dust when the ultimate arrow shall bow. Now thou couldst bless and godspeed, without bitter ness bred in thine heart, Loves that outworn and time-wasted were fain from thy lodge to depart. Though dulled by their passing, thy faith, like a flower upfolded by night, New kindness should quicken again, as a flower feels the touch of new light. Ay, now thou couldst love, undefeated, with ardor instinct from pure Love Warmed by a sun in the heavens that knows not beneath nor above, Nor distance its patience to weary, nor substance unpierced by its ray. . . Now couldst thou pity and smile where once but the scourge thou wouldst lay; Now to thyself couldst show mercy, and up from all penance arise, Knowing there runneth abroad that chastening Flame from the skies. . . . Doubt not thou hast matter for revel; for once thou wouldst cage thee in steel, And, wounded, wouldst seek out the balm and the cordial cunning to heal. But now thou hast knowledge more sovran, more kind, than leechcraft can wield: Never Design sent thee forth to be safe from the scath of the field, But bade thee stand bare in the midst, and offer free way to all scath Piercing thee inly-so, only, might Song have an outgoing path. . |