Chapter 1

Heroes

William Canton

Our favorite heroes live forever in their stories and in our memories, cheering us forward in our own brave fights.

For you who love heroic things

In summer dream or winter tale,

I tell of warriors, siants, and kings,

In scarlet, sackcloth, glittering mail,

And helmets peaked with iron wings.

They beat down Wrong; they strove for Right.

In ringing fields, on grappled ships,

Singing, they flung into the fight.

They fell with triumph on their lips,

And in their eyes a glorious light.

That light still gleams. From far away

Their brave song greets us like a cheer.

We fight the same great fight as they,

Right againgst Wrong; we, now and here;

They, in their fashion, yesterday.

Text copyright © 1997 by William J. Bennett