The Vanquished Knight

 I HAVE left all upon the shameful field,
Honour and Hope, my God, and all but life;
Spurless, with sword reversed and dinted shield,
Degraded and disgraced, I leave the strife.

From him that hath not, shall there not be taken
E'en that he hath, when he deserts the strife?
Life left by all life's benefits forsaken,
O keep the promise, Lord, and take the life.

Form: Iambic Pentameter Comments

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace