Two Noble Lives - Samuel Gridley Howe, Julia Ward Howe #233939

The Hero<br>(Dr. S. G. Howe)<br><br>"O for a knight like Bayard,<br>Without reproach or fear;<br>My light glove on his casque of steel,<br>My love-knot on his spear!<br><br>"O for the white plume floating<br>Sad Zutphen's field above, -<br>The lion heart in battle,<br>The woman's heart in love!<br><br>"O that man once more were manly,<br>Woman's pride, and not her scorn;<br>That once more the pale young mother<br>Dared to boast 'a man is born!'<br><br>"But, now life's slumberous current<br>No sun-bowed cascade wakes;<br>No tall, heroic manhood<br>The level dulness breaks.