Bravery

Our tales recount the bravery
Of heroes long ago,
The ones who stood against an army
And conquered every foe—

Their boldness fills our heart with courage,
And we desire their wages:
To have our deeds recorded, too,
To fill immortal pages—

But bravery is counted not
By deeds that give us fame,
But by the choice to give our blood
That someone else may gain;

And braver than the bravest heroes
Is he who gives his life
Without the chance of winning praise
For his noble sacrifice.