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Defeat
But that was no defeat. Defeat, my friend,
Is a simple thing, and past your understanding.
Defeat is no cry in the night, no sudden banding
Together of men beleaguered, no comrade glance at the end . . .
These are bold colours. Defeat is woven in grey . . .
Defeat is a little smile, a turning away.
Defeat is no rebel voice thrust down in a clamorous world,
Nor the bitter cry of the heart that wastes its breath.
Defeat is a courteous thing, more quiet than death.
Defeat is the nameless banner not once unfurled.
For a vanquished horn may ring noble up cleft and hill,
But defeat is deaf to music. Defeat lies still.
Over the Macedon heights cried they, "Thalatta — the Sea —"
Yet had they never won to the foam and the dragon-gold gleaming,
Still had their hearts like prows furrowed some sea of dreaming,
Still had their weary eyes envisioned an argosy.
But defeat is a blind man prone in a cleft of the sunburnt sands,
And the waves not a bowshot away. But he sees not, nor understands.
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