Every Night at Marathon
The Unconquered Air, and Other Poems (1912)
Every night at Marathon(Shepherd boy, beware!)—Every night at MarathonSounds are in the air:Ghostly sounds, the heart dismaying,As of maddened horses neighing,Over all the plain.
Every night at Marathon(Boy, the vision fly!)—Every night at Marathon,'Neath a darkened sky,Form with form in shadow blending,Warrior-shapes are seen contendingAs in conflict vain.
These are they at Marathon(Mark, O shepherd-lad!)Who, for freedom, to the godsOffered all they had;Who in danger, Death defying,Triumphed over Fate in dying,For our gain—our gain!
Dæmons sentinel the field;Venture thou not near,—Neither seek those forms to view,Nor those sounds to hear.This enough for thee: they perishNever!—whom the high gods cherishOne with life remain.