The Banners

Lordly banners, waving to the stars,
Flap upon the night-wind, heavy with the dew.
Trustful youth is wending to the wars,

Strong in ancient faith to battle with the new.
Lordly banners, trodden in the clay',
Lie upon the mountain dank with other dew;

Hapless Youth hath lost the bloody day,
Ancient faith is feeble, stronger is the new.
Lordly banners, other than of yore,

Flap upon the night-wind, heavy with the dew;
Youth to battle girdeth him once more,
New and Old are feeble, — mighty is the True!