Classic Poem

( THE COVENANT OF NATIONS )

" Let us be proud! " — we once would say;
" They bring but honor from the fray
Who live; in honor died our dead,
Not for ourselves their blood was shed,
But for a world that stricken lay. "

We might have gone the easy way,
Heeded the prudent plea of " Nay,
Let us be safe " ; we chose instead
" Let us be proud. "

Oh, ye who threw that pride away,
Eclipsed our glory, till to-day
Our heads are dust, our hearts are lead:
Back to the trenches we have fled!
Back to our chiding dead who pray
" Let us be proud! "