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The Soldier

Reading time: 55 seconds

For a veteran Traditional A classic Gone too soon

Rupert Brooke · 1915

The Soldier

Rupert Brooke · 1915

If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England's, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

Public domain in the UK and the US · serany.app

What Serany thinks about this poem

For a veteran Traditional A classic Gone too soon

Background

Brooke wrote it in 1914 and died the next year, at twenty-seven, on his way to Gallipoli. He's buried on a Greek island.

Meaning

If he dies abroad, he says, that patch of ground becomes England. Everything good in him came from home, and dying gives it back.

Who's it for

Someone who served, and especially anyone who died far from home. Right for a family who want something formal and proud.

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A Psalm of Life

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · 1838

Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!

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Who's it for

Someone who never sat still and left things behind them: a business, a trade, a houseful of people they taught. Right for a life spent being useful.

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Crossing the Bar

Alfred, Lord Tennyson · 1889

Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me!

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Who's it for

Someone who had a long life and was ready. Especially right for anyone who went to sea, or just loved being near it.

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Fear No More the Heat o' the Sun

William Shakespeare · 1623

Fear no more the heat o' the sun, Nor the furious winter's rages:

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Who's it for

A person who worked hard all their life and had had enough by the end. It also fits someone who never cared much who was important and who wasn't.

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For the Fallen

Laurence Binyon · 1914

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

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Who's it for

Anyone who served, and especially someone who died young in uniform. Right for a family who want the words everybody in the room will already know.

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Epitaph on a Friend

Lord Byron · 1807

Oh, Friend! for ever lov'd, for ever dear! What fruitless tears have bathed thy honour'd bier!

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Who's it for

A best friend, especially one who died young. Right for a family who would rather the grief were said out loud than smoothed over.

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Epitaph on an Infant

Samuel Taylor Coleridge · 1794

Ere Sin could blight or Sorrow fade, Death came with friendly care;

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Who's it for

A baby, or a child who died very small. It is right where a family believe their child is somewhere safe and being looked after now.

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For the Fallen

Laurence Binyon · 1914

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

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Who's it for

Anyone who served, and especially someone who died young in uniform. Right for a family who want the words everybody in the room will already know.

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It is not growing like a tree

Ben Jonson · 1640

It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be;

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Who's it for

Anyone who died young, and a family who need to hear that a short life was still a whole one. Right for a person who packed a lot in.

ComfortingGone too soonUnusualUplifting

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Little Boy Blue

Eugene Field · 1888

The little toy dog is covered with dust, But sturdy and staunch he stands;

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Who's it for

A small child, and a family who need the loss said simply rather than explained away. It is right where the toys are still in the house.

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Warm Summer Sun

Robert Richardson · 1893

Warm summer sun, shine friendly here; Warm western wind, blow kindly here;

10 sec

Who's it for

Someone who died young, and a family who want something very short and very tender. Right where a longer reading would be more than anyone could manage.

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When I have fears that I may cease to be

John Keats · 1848

When I have fears that I may cease to be Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain,

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Who's it for

A writer, a painter, or anyone who had more they meant to make. It belongs to a person who died in the middle of their work.

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With rue my heart is laden

A. E. Housman · 1896

With rue my heart is laden For golden friends I had,

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Who's it for

A friend, which is the one it is really for, and anyone who died young. Right for someone who was good company and quick on their feet.

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For the Fallen

Laurence Binyon · 1914

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

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Who's it for

Anyone who served, and especially someone who died young in uniform. Right for a family who want the words everybody in the room will already know.

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Invictus

William Ernest Henley · 1888

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

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Who's it for

Someone who got dealt a hard hand and never let it decide who they were. The person others called stubborn and you would call brave.

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The Life That I Have

Leo Marks · 1943

Not shown here, because the poem is still in copyright.

Who's it for

A widow or widower, and anyone who served. Right for a love that was certain, and someone who never went in for big words.

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