Classic Poem

" And they put his armor in the house of Ashtoreth. " —

SAMUEL, XXXI, 10

Weep for the one so strong to slay, whom One has taken at last!
Mourn for the mail that rings no more and the ruin unforecast!
This was he of the flaming heart and the deep, heroic breath,
Whose sword is laid and his armor hung in the House of Ashtoreth.

Weep for the one so swift to slay, whose knees have bent to the night!
Dust is thick on his thresholds now, though trumpets call to the fight.
Slinger and bowman gather fast, but our strong man does not come.
Captains long for his counsels now, but the sated lips are dumb.

Cry his name in the citadel, sending the runners forth:
The South gives back no rumor of him; in vain they question the North.
Seek him not where the wall is held or the spears go in to death,
Whose shield is laid and his armor hung in the House of Ashtoreth.

This was he grown mighty in war, but her war is otherwise:
Swords that flash from her bosom bared, arrows cast from her eyes.
Who shall stoop from her javelin thrown, who from her singing dart?
Her sudden shaft is hot in his loins, her steel in his maddened heart.

Deep in the still and altared dusk her lamp glows small and red,
Mirrored clear in the great cuirass, like the rubies of her bed;
Blood of light on his burnished helm, on the belt and the greaves, one saith
Whose spear is laid and his armor hung in the House of Ashtoreth.

Tho Gath go up to the threshing-floors, or hosts assemble at Tyre,
Wait no more for your prince's word, who has taken his desire.
Cities and fields and given hearts, honor and life were weighed,
The balance shown and the end foreseen and the deep decision made.

Weep for the one so strong in war, whose war is now of the Dark!
Well he harnessed his breast with steel, but her arrows find their mark.
Her hands have loosened the brazen belt and her breath has found his breath
Whose sword is laid and his armor hung in the House of Ashtoreth.