<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Redemption</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">As</span> though Youth had not all the best, this day</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Offers him one excelling best-of-all, --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The glorious summons of a trumpet-call</p><p class="line">To prove his manhood in man's noblest fray;</p><p class="line">To be with those who fight at last to slay</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">That ancient despot, War. Whate'er befall,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">His is a prize so rich as to forestall</p><p class="line">The invidious years and venom of decay.</p><p class="line">No fruitless age shall he regret who pays</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Thus timely his arrears to Motherland</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And humankind, ensuing Earth's desire;</p><p class="line">Who stakes his else immemorable days</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And wins his life back, holy from Death's hand,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Redeemed in one brief ecstasy of fire!</p></div><p class="byline">HAROLD E. GOAD</p><em>Times, August</em> 26, 1914</body></html> · Great War