THE CASTERBRIDGE CAPTAINS
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TRADITION OF J. B. L—, T. G. B—, AND J. L—. THREE captains went to Indian wars,And only one returned:Their mate of yore, he singly woreThe laurels all had earned. At home he sought the ancient aisleWherein, untrumped of fame,The three had sat in pupilage,And each had carved his name. The names, rough-hewn, of equal size,Stood on the panel still;Unequal since.—“’Twas theirs to aim,Mine was it to fulfil!” —“Who saves his life shall lose it, friends!”Outspake the preacher then,Unweeting he his listener, whoLooked at the names again. That he had come and they’d been stayed,’Twas but the chance of war:Another chance, and they’d sat here,And he had lain afar. Yet saw he something in the livesOf those who’d ceased to liveThat sphered them with a majestyWhich living failed to give. Transcendent triumph in returnNo longer lit his brain;Transcendence rayed the distant urnWhere slept the fallen twain. [Picture: Sketch of comet]
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