Where the sword has opened the way the man will follow <br /> <br />'Look! they came, the triumphant army! <br />Over yon hill see their weapons peeping!' <br />Still I spoke not but my wheel sent turning, <br />I closed my eyes for my heart was weeping, <br />My heart was weeping for a dead soldier. <br />Who is he who looks towards me? <br />''Tis no man but a gay flag flying.' <br />Red was his mouth and his white brow thoughtful, <br />Blue his eyes—how my soul is crying, <br />My soul is crying for a dead soldier. <br />'Kneel ye down, lest your eyes should dare them, <br />Kneel ye down and your beads be saying.' <br />'Lord, on their heads Thy wrath deliver,' <br />This is the prayer that my lips are praying, <br />My heart is praying for a dead soldier. <br /> <br />'Best cheer the path of the men victorious, <br />For he is dead and his blade lies broken, <br />His march is far where no aid can follow, <br />And for his people he left no token, <br />He left no token, the dead soldier.' <br />The way of the sword a man can follow, <br />See the young child with his gold hair gleaming. <br />When falls the oak must the acorn perish? <br />He lifts the blade and his eyes are dreaming, <br />He dreams the dream of the dead soldier.<br /><br />Dora Sigerson Shorter<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-dead-soldier-2/
