SONNET(To One Killed in Action)
SONNET(To One Killed in Action)
Myundevout yet ardent sacrificeDid God refuse, knowing how carelesslyAnd with what curious sensualityThe coloured flames did flicker and arise.Half boy, half decadent, always my eyesSparkle to danger: Oh it was joy to meTo sit with Death gambling desperatelyThe borrowed Coin of Life. But you, more wise,Went forth for nothing but to do God’s will:Went gravely out—well knowing what you didAnd hating it—with feet that did not falterTo place your gift upon the highest altar.Therefore to you this last and finest thrillIs given—even Death itself, to me forbid.
Myundevout yet ardent sacrificeDid God refuse, knowing how carelesslyAnd with what curious sensualityThe coloured flames did flicker and arise.Half boy, half decadent, always my eyesSparkle to danger: Oh it was joy to meTo sit with Death gambling desperatelyThe borrowed Coin of Life. But you, more wise,Went forth for nothing but to do God’s will:Went gravely out—well knowing what you didAnd hating it—with feet that did not falterTo place your gift upon the highest altar.Therefore to you this last and finest thrillIs given—even Death itself, to me forbid.
Myundevout yet ardent sacrifice
Did God refuse, knowing how carelessly
And with what curious sensuality
The coloured flames did flicker and arise.
Half boy, half decadent, always my eyes
Sparkle to danger: Oh it was joy to me
To sit with Death gambling desperately
The borrowed Coin of Life. But you, more wise,
Went forth for nothing but to do God’s will:
Went gravely out—well knowing what you did
And hating it—with feet that did not falter
To place your gift upon the highest altar.
Therefore to you this last and finest thrill
Is given—even Death itself, to me forbid.