“ They Die Not.”
Imperial battles’ last avengers stand :1
Death with a robe of fire and direful Fear2
On the dim edge of space ; moaning and drear,3
The steep wave-clouds roll onward in grey band4
Like thunder-wolves beneath ; up from the land5
Comes a perfume, an odour sere, and Death,6
Catching the smoke of blood and failing breath,7
Wheels down in vulture flight with eager hand.8
With folded wings borne through the trembling air9
Riseth like bubbles from the muddy deep10
A mist of many spirits: a bloom of sleep11
Compels awhile, yet is high God aware,12
And looking down shall heave up from their dust13
A blade whose brightness Time shall never rust.14