Classic Poem

I saw a company whom God had crowned.—
 They held the post of danger through the day
And died at night upon the blood-stained ground
 And over them the moon soared gaunt and grey
And the wild leaves fled past with wailing sound:
 But now, in heaven, their pain had passed away
And they were crowned and victors. Yet their eyes
 Were full of tears. They knew not why there rang
Along the serried armies of the skies
 So vast a shout. Their joy was like a pang,
So unexpected was it. Wild surprise
 Smote through their dumb hearts as the angels sang
“Glory to these, who held the one chief post
 And held it to the end,—and died at night
And won the battle for the whole great host
 Yet saw no victory when their souls took flight
Across the red-stained meadows.” Too engrossed
 With their own task to watch the waning light
They tarried till the end,—till each one fell
 Prone at his post. Now unto each God says:
“Soul, thou didst win the fight. Thou hast done well.”
 And, as each hears with wonder in his gaze,
Each answers, suffering having cast out pride:
 “Lord, I did nought. I only loved and died.”