Page:May-day and other pieces, Emerson, 1867.djvu/99

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VOLUNTARIES.
87

And he who battles on her side,
God, though he were ten times slain,
Crowns him victor glorified,
Victor over death and pain;
Forever: but his erring foe,
Self-assured that he prevails,
Looks from his victim lying low,
And sees aloft the red right arm
Redress the eternal scales.
He, the poor foe, whom angels foil,
Blind with pride, and fooled by hate,
Writhes within the dragon coil,
Reserved to a speechless fate.


V.

Blooms the laurel which belongs
To the valiant chief who fights;
I see the wreath, I hear the songs