Classic Poem

Life had said no word to me:
I saw not. But now I see.

For I heard the trumpet call,
‘Live, live,—once for all,
Spend thy golden wherewithal!’

O I heard the trumpet sing,
‘Death, death, where is thy sting?’

And the volley called to me,
‘Grave, where is thy victory?’

(Ah, but Mother,—close beside,
Look not as the Crucified,

With your eyes to ask me so,
Child, and did you never know?)

For I heard the trumpet call,
‘Spend thy golden wherewithal!
Live,—give,—Fight and fall!’
And I flung my all.—