They lifted up his weary head,
Stained with a dark and bitter dew:
“How does the battle go?” he said.
Sir, it is victory,” — when he heard
He smiled the darkening shadows through
And died as blithe as a singing bird.
On the stained grass as on a bed
Dying he lay and well content —
“Sir, it is victory,” they said.
So smiling, smiling all the way,
To the undying Dead he went
As to a heavenly holiday.
(Katharine Tynan)
More Poetry from Katharine Tynan:
Katharine Tynan Poems based on Topics: War & Peace, Death & Dying, Birds, Smiling, Success, Singing- The Children of Lir (Katharine Tynan Poems)
- The Vision (Katharine Tynan Poems)
- The Legend of St. Austin and the Child (Katharine Tynan Poems)
- St. Francis and the Birds (Katharine Tynan Poems)
- The Convent Garden (Katharine Tynan Poems)
- Shamrock Song (Katharine Tynan Poems)