The Happy Warrior
By Dorothea Hollins
(In “The Labor Leader.” J. Keir Hardie, English Labor leader, Anti-militarist and Member of Parliament. Died September 26, 1915. It is said the present war broke his heart.)
’Midst the world’s tumult, he lies very still
Humanity’s knight-errant, who ’gainst wrong
Ne’er sheathed his sword, but climbed the perilous long
And lengthening ascent to that far hill
Throning the city of God! What shapes of ill
He met, he recked not, so he might be strong
For the down-trodden at his side. His song
Of Brotherhood each failing heart did fill
With manly comfort, and from Womanhood
He smote the bands of tyranny and ease;
No knight was e’er more dauntless. Devil’s strife
Outbreaking, broke his heart, snapped the worn life,
Yet cannot dim the victory of good
Nor take from Righteousness the kiss of Peace.