Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Greece and Turkey in Europe: Vol. XIX. 1876–79.

Greece: Marathon

Eucles Announcing the Victory of Marathon

By Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–1838)

HE cometh from the purple hills,

Where the fight has been to-day;

He bears the standard on his hand,—

Shout round the victor’s way.

The sunset of a battle won

Is round his steps from Marathon.

Gather the myrtles near,

And fling them on his path;

Take from her braided hair

The flowers the maiden hath,

A welcome to the welcome one

Who hastens now from Marathon.

They crowd around his steps,

Rejoicing young and old;

The laurel branch he bears,

His glorious tale hath told,

The Persian’s hour of pride is done,

Victory is on Marathon.

She cometh with brightened cheek;

She who all day hath wept

The wife and mother’s tears

Where her youngest infant slept;

The heart is in her eyes alone,

What careth she for Marathon!

But down on his threshold, down!

Sinks the warrior’s failing breath,

The tale of that mighty field

Is left to be told by Death.

’T is a common tale,—the victor’s sun

Sets in tears and blood o’er Marathon.