Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Alexander Hay Japp b. 1840

Landor

LIKE crown’d athlete that in a race has run,

And points his finger at those left behind,

And follows on his way as now inclin’d,

With song and laughter in the glowing sun;

And joys at that which he hath joyous done,

And, like a child, will wanton with the wind,

And pluck the flowers his radiant brows to bind—

Re-crown himself as conscious he hath won;

And still regardless of his fellow-men

He follows on his road intent and fain

To please himself, and caring not to gain

The world’s applause which he might seek in vain:

A soldier, yet would, careless, sport and play

And leave the reckoning for a distant day.