James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
February 6A Mans Name
By Richard Realf (18321878)
T
It rose up like a star,
And sailed into the infinite,
Where the immortals are.
And lo, an unknown name
Strode into sovereignty from death
Trailing a path of flame!
No vagueness in his breast;
Along his blood the swift test stirred—
He answered to the test,
And, as he grappled, saw
That life is one with sacrifice,
And duty one with law.
Wife:—yet he did not reel;
Babes:—ah, they tugged! but to the last
He stood as true as steel.
Above another’s crime,
Above the immitigable stress,
Above himself and time,
Gave quibbing Fear the lie,
Taught ambling Fluence how to speak,
And brave men how to die.
Who said our Alps were low,
And not by God’s airs blown upon?
Behold, it is not so!
Dwarf-fronted, lame of will,
Limp our marred Joves and giants—but
Sceptered for mastery still,
Whatever mobs of shame
Are leagued within us, with such spell
As David Simmons’ name.