For the eyes loved,
For the face lifted
In that still light,
Dark trees are groved,
The snow drifted,
And the mound white.
And the grave dug
And the words spoken
And the flowers shed —
And the eyes tearless
But the heart broken
For the brave dead.
Though a soul thrill
To the stars’ fire
And a mind sing
To a keen will
Of a high desire
And a great thing,—
Ah, who listens?
Who — who hearkens
Or answer makes,—
Though the moon glistens
And the night darkens
And the heart breaks?
Lay her sword by her,
Her steel of spirit,
Her phantom blade,
Lest the loud liar
In his hell inherit
What her soul made!
Sweet sword, she came
To pierce and quicken
My heart to grace,—
Oh, white flame,
Oh, heart life-stricken,
Oh, deathless face!