The Poetry Corner

The Volunteer

By Henry John Newbolt, Sir

"He leapt to arms unbidden, Unneeded, over-bold; His face by earth is hidden, His heart in earth is cold. "Curse on the reckless daring That could not wait the call, The proud fantastic bearing That would be first to fall!" O tears of human passion, Blur not the image true; This was not folly's fashion, This was the man we knew.