| WHEN our five-angled spears, that pierced the world | |
| And drew its life-blood, faint before the wall | |
| Which hems its secret splendour—when we fall, | |
| Lance broken, banner furled, | |
| Before that calm invincible defence | 5 |
| Whereon our folly hurled | |
| The piteous armies of intelligence— | |
| Then, often-times, we know | |
| How conquering mercy to the battle field | |
| Comes through the darkness, freely to bestow | 10 |
| The prize for which we fought | |
| Not knowing what we sought, | |
| And salve the wounds of those who would not yield. | |
| |
| He loves the valiant foe; he comes not out to meet | |
| The craven soul made captive of its fear: | 15 |
| Not these the victories that to him are sweet! | |
| But the impetuous soldiery of truth, | |
| And knighthood of the intellectual quest, | |
| Who ask not for his ruth | |
| Nor would desire his rest: | 20 |
| These are to him most dear, | |
| And shall in their surrender yet prevail. | |
| Yea! at the end of unrewarded days, | |
| By swift and secret ways | |
| As on a sudden moonbeam shining clear, | 25 |
| Soft through the night shall slide upon their gaze | |
| The thrice-defended vision of the Grail: | |
| And when his peace hath triumphed, these shall be | |
| The flower of his celestial chivalry. | |
| |
| And did you think, he saith | 30 |
| As to and fro he goes the trenches through, | |
| My heart impregnable, that you must bring | |
| The ballisters of faith | |
| Their burning bolts to fling, | |
| And all the cunning intricate device | 35 |
| Of human wit, | |
| One little breach to make | |
| That so you might attain to enter it? | |
| Nay, on the other side | |
| Love’s undefended postern is set wide: | 40 |
| But thus it is I woo | |
| My dearest sons, that an ignoble ease | |
| Shall never please, | |
| Nor any smooth and open way entice. | |
| Armed would I have them come | 45 |
| Against the mighty bastions of their home; | |
| Out of high failure win | |
| Their way within, | |
| And from my conquering hand their birthright take. | |
