For works with similar titles, see Battle.
Battle (1920)
by Claude McKay
2651688Battle1920Claude McKay

Battle


Last night I dreamed that in the deadly strife,
Where privileged power rules ruthless might,
I saw my body, a corpse still breathing life,
Trampled and mangled, a bloody, blackened sight.
If such should be my fate, I pray it will
Come to me sudden-swift, a keen sword-dart,
Sent deeply through my burning breast to still
The rhythmic beat of my rebellious heart.
So, I should have the grand end come to me,
While following the only way of duty
And questing for the soul of truth and beauty!
I'd go convinced that there could never be
A fairer life for truth or beauty's flower,
While earth is ruled by man's imperial power.



This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.


The longest-living author of this work died in 1948, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 75 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

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