Poem: “The Soldier” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

 Yes. Why do we all, seeing of a soldier, bless him? bless

Our redcoats, our tars? Both these being, the greater part,

But frail clay, nay but foul clay. Here it is: the heart,

Since, proud, it calls the calling manly, gives a guess

That, hopes that, makesbelieve, the men must be no less;

It fancies, feigns, deems, dears the artist after his art;

And fain will find as sterling all as all is smart,

And scarlet wear the spirit of war there express.

 

Mark Christ our King. He knows war, served this soldiering through;

He of all can handle a rope best. There he hides in bliss

Now, and seeing somewhere some man do all that man can do,

For love he leans forth, needs his neck must fall on, kiss,

And cry “O Christ-done deed! So God-made-flesh does too:

Were I come o’er again” cries Christ “it should be this.”