Charles Harpur

Here you will find the Poem The Battle of Life of poet Charles Harpur

The Battle of Life

Never give up, though life be a battle 
Wherein true men may fail, and true causes be sold; 
 Yet, on the whole, however may rattle 
 The thunders of chance, scaring cowards like cattle? 
Clear victory?s always the bride of the bold. 
 Armed in your right-though friendship deny you, 
And love fall away when the storm?s at the worst, 
 Count not your loss, Was destined to try you? 
 Bear the brunt like a man, and your deeds shall ally you 
To natures more noble and true than the first. 

 Rail not at Fate: if rightly you scan her, 
There?s none loves more strongly the heart that endures: 
 On, in the hero?s calm resolute manner, 
 Still bear aloft your hope?s long-trusted banner, 
And the day, if you do but live through it, is yours. 

 Be this your faith; and if killing strokes clatter 
On your harness where true men before you have died, 
 Fight on, let your life-blood be poured out like water? 
 Fight on, make at least a brave end of the matter, 
Brave end of the struggle if nothing beside