THE CONTRAST
Reading edition
“Neither my Magnesian home, nor Demetrias, my happy country mourned for me, the son of Sotimos; nor did my mother Soso lament me,—for no weakling did I march against my foes.”—From a painted stele at Volo, Thessaly.
’Tis said, when young Greeks went to die, Greek mothers would not weep; And steadfast mien and tearless eye Controlled themselves to keep. Ah!—they were trained to bloody deed; We—in this time so late That life seemed gentle, know our breed More tragically great! Had we foreseen, no tear would fall. Now mothers, too, could smile ... Only, we proved men brave ... and dead In such a little while!