Classic Poem

What did you say, Comrade?
You're going to lie down — you're through —
Why, what's happening to you?
It can't be that you flinch
From the maddening roar
Of life's shrapnel and shell,
Or even the sickening sight of gore,
You've seen and heard it all before.

Your body's frail?
Yes, but you've carried a light
That will not fail,
And, with ringing laughter.
Defied the fears
That lurked in all the tragic years.

When you said,
" I'll stand and see others pass by "
Did you note the baffled look
In the eyes of Youth?
Did you hear the haunting cry:
" Well, if you're beaten, so am I " ?

Why, we haven't heard the last command
" Stack arms! "
So, comrade, have done
With these false alarms,
O No! you're not through,
And you won[']t lie down, —
That's the way cowards die,
Not you and I!