Old as the world--no other things so old; <br />Nay, older than the world, else, how had sprung <br />Such lusty strength in them when earth was young?-- <br />Stand valor and its passion hot and bold, <br />Insatiate of battle. How, else, told <br />Blind men, born blind, that red was fitting tongue <br />Mute, eloquent, to show how trumpets rung <br />When armies charged adn battle-flags unfurled? <br />Who sings of valor speaks for life, for death, <br />Beyond all death, and long as life is life, <br />in rippled waves the eternal air hs breath <br />Eternal bears to stir all noble strife. <br />Dead Homer from his lost and vanished grave <br />Keeps battle glorious still and soldiers brave.<br /><br />Helen Hunt Jackson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/songs-of-battle/
