The Fighting Race; And Other Poems and Ballads

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911. Excerpt: ... Is laid in earth, command my arm, my life, And never shall I swerve. I did but what is law of Bushido--To give, to love, to serve. Praised be the Shogun!--honored, too, my wife! And Tokiyori rode to battle with a smile. THE MESSENGER FROM MARATHON. Victory! cry of all cries after battle, Victory! only cry worthy of breath, Lifting the soul up and thrilling the heart strings, Shaking the heavens and laughing at death. Never glowed sunburst more sudden and wondrous, Scattering darkness and slaying the night, Than when upon Marathon headlong the Greeks charged Down on the Persians--a torrent of fight. Sword of Miltiades! shield of Athene! Loud cry for Greekland in whirlwind of slaughter, Ten 'gainst a hundred of thousands, yet drove them And slew them in scores to the edge of the water. Virgin of Athens! Victory! Victory! Voice of Miltiades: Who'll bear the word of it Fastest to Athens and free her from fear? Springs a young soldier forth, crying out: Here! Dropping helmet and spear. Six words of a pray'r to Athene--then gone. Swiftly he skims the red plain, Skirting the blood-pools and masses of dead. Light on the forehead; joy in his tread; Lavish of vigor, lengthy of stride; Ever on! Ever on! Scorning the stress and the strain, Sees the broad slopes of the mountain arise, Laughs at the hot sun that flames in his eyes, Faces the steep of Pentelicus, Fired by the word in his heart held, Victory! Victory! Victory! Where echo alone from the mountain replies: Victory! Smothering heart-beat and breath-drawing pain He shouts it again Victory! Never a pause as he masters the top, But plunges on down the white line of the road; Long-drawn-out distances stretch dim before him; Hot pace and hot sun are wearing him down; Hill after hill comes as load upon load...