To the Young
After Heine
Let your feet not falter, your course not alter
By golden apples, till victory’s won!
The sword’s sharp clangour, the dart’s shrill anger,
Swerve not the hero thundering on.
A bold beginning is half the winning,
An Alexander makes worlds his fee.
No long debating! The Queens are waiting
In his pavilion on beaded knee.
Thus swift pursuing his wars and wooing,
He mounts old Darius’ bed and throne.
O glorious ruin! O blithe undoing!
O drunk death-triumph in Babylon!