Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Greece and Turkey in Europe: Vol. XIX. 1876–79.
Eucles Announcing the Victory of Marathon
By Letitia Elizabeth Landon (18021838)H
Where the fight has been to-day;
He bears the standard on his hand,—
Shout round the victor’s way.
The sunset of a battle won
Is round his steps from Marathon.
And fling them on his path;
Take from her braided hair
The flowers the maiden hath,
A welcome to the welcome one
Who hastens now from Marathon.
Rejoicing young and old;
The laurel branch he bears,
His glorious tale hath told,
The Persian’s hour of pride is done,
Victory is on Marathon.
She who all day hath wept
The wife and mother’s tears
Where her youngest infant slept;
The heart is in her eyes alone,
What careth she for Marathon!
Sinks the warrior’s failing breath,
The tale of that mighty field
Is left to be told by Death.
’T is a common tale,—the victor’s sun
Sets in tears and blood o’er Marathon.