Robert Bridges (1844–1930)

WEEP not to-day: why should this sadness be?

Learn in present fears

To o’ermaster those tears

That unhinder’d conquer thee.

Think on thy past valour, thy future praise:

Up, sad heart, nor faint

In ungracious complaint,

Or a prayer for better days.

Daily thy life shortens, the grave’s dark peace

Draweth surely nigh,

When good-night is good-bye;

For the sleeping shall not cease.

Fight, to be found fighting: nor far away

Deem, nor strange thy doom.

Like this sorrow ’twill come,

And the day will be to-day.