Oh, the romance of it,

Soul-thrilling trance of it,

Though lives are lost which no love can restore!

Hearts ride a-prance at it,

Taking their chance at it—

Wing-thriven hearts to the seat of Love's War.

Sorrow is theirs in store;

This they know well before,

Yet do they ride from the West and the East

Hoping for this at least,

Out from the West and East,

Glory with death at the end of the war.

Should they return again,

Life sings the old refrain,

Mystery, madness and mirth at the core:

Patter of falling rain,

Dawnings which wax and wane,

Life which is war at the end of Love's War.

Thunders have ceased to roar,

Terrors they knew before

When they rode out from the East and the West.

Though passions will not rest,

Love, which is always best,

Honours brave lips at the end of the war.