Poem - William Ogilvie

A Song of the Old Men

By William Ogilvie

Youth! To you is the splendid prize:

To have left your school but a term or two,

And to sudden see with your shining eyes

The path of honour made plain for you;

To be picked at once for the Game of Games,

To be called to a quest that the soul bestirs;

To fling your torch on the altar flames.

And ride with the Great Adventurers!

Pity us. Youth!—If our feet be slow,

If our eyes that watch you be old and dim,

Our hopes go forth on the road you go.

Our hearts are chanting your battle hymn;

And whether your fate be a grave in France,

Or a laurel wreath and the Golden Spurs,

What would we give for your chance, your chance

To ride with the Great Adventurers!