Comrades of risk and rigour long ago <br />Who have done battle under honour's name, <br />Hoped (living or shot down) some meed of fime, <br />And wooed bright Danger for a thrilling kiss, — <br />Laugh, oh laugh well, that we have come to this ! <br /> <br />Laugh, oh laugh loud, all ye who long ago <br />Adventure found in gallant company ! <br />Safe in Stagnation, laugh, laugh bitterly. <br />While on this filthiest backwater of Time's flow <br />Drift we and rot, till something set us free ! <br /> <br />Laugh like old men with senses atrophied, <br />Heeding no Present, to the Future dead, <br />Nodding quite foolish by the warm fireside <br />And seeing no flame, but only in the red <br />And flickering embers, pictures of the past : — <br />Life like a cinder fading black at last.<br /><br />Frederick William (FW) Harvey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-133/
