Читать книгу Rebel Verses - Gilbert Bernard - Страница 10

A group of men stood watching round the bed,

Gazing in sadness at the lion's head,

Ugly and massive, coarse, yet noble, too,

Transfigured by the power shining through,

The steadfast purpose, the unflinching will,

Decisive, swift to save alive, or kill,

As was required. Aye, and more was there;

The tenderness, the pity, all the care

Of one who watches o'er his fatherland,

And bears upon his countenance the brand

Of deep unutterable sorrow burned

Into his soul, whilst he, the lesson learned

That they who wield responsibility,

Alas, must always compromising be;

And to help on the cause they deem divine

Must waver from their ever rigid line.

The singleness of heart for which they pray,

Doth bow before expediency each day;

No longer fate allows the choice between

A good or evil course – with answer clean —

But rather shews two evils to be done,

And they must boldly choose the lesser one.

'Tis this that makes him groan with agony,