Old as the world--no other things so old; br Nay, older than the world, else, how had sprung br Such lusty strength in them when earth was young?-- br Stand valor and its passion hot and bold, br Insatiate of battle. How, else, told br Blind men, born blind, that red was fitting tongue br Mute, eloquent, to show how trumpets rung br When armies charged adn battle-flags unfurled? br Who sings of valor speaks for life, for death, br Beyond all death, and long as life is life, br in rippled waves the eternal air hs breath br Eternal bears to stir all noble strife. br Dead Homer from his lost and vanished grave br Keeps battle glorious still and soldiers brave.