Know ye not when our dead <br />From sleep to battle sprung? <br />-When the Persian charger's tread <br />On their cowering greensward rung! <br />When the trampling march of foes <br />Had crush'd our vines and flowers, <br />When jewell'd crests arose <br />Through the holy laurel-bowers, <br /> <br />When banners caught the breeze, <br />When helms in sunlight shone, <br />When masts were on the seas, <br />And spears on Marathon. <br /> <br />There was one, a leader crown'd, <br />And arm'd for Greece that day; <br />But the falchions made no sound <br />On his gleaming war-array. <br />In the battle's front he stood, <br />With his tall and shadowy crest; <br />But the arrows drew no blood <br />Though their path was through his breast. <br /> <br />When banners caught the breeze, <br />When helms in sunlight shone, <br />When masts were on the seas, <br />And spears on Marathon. <br /> <br />His sword was seen to flash <br />Where the boldest deeds were done; <br />But it smote without a clash; <br />The stroke was heard by none! <br />His voice was not of those <br />That swell'd the rolling blast, <br />And his steps fell hush'd like snows- <br />'Twas the Shade of Theseus pass'd! <br /> <br />When banners caught the breeze, <br />When helms in sunlight shone, <br />When masts were on the seas, <br />And spears on Marathon. <br /> <br />Far sweeping through the foe, <br />With a fiery charge he bore; <br />And the Mede left many a bow <br />On the sounding ocean-shore. <br />And the foaming waves grew red, <br />And the sails were crowded fast, <br />When the sons of Asia fled, <br />As the Shade of Theseus pass'd! <br /> <br />When banners caught the breeze, <br />When helms in sunlight shone, <br />When masts were on the seas, <br />And spears on Marathon.<br /><br />Felicia Dorothea Hemans<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-shade-of-theseus-ancient-greek-tradition/
