Inscription for a War

by A.D. Hope

“Stranger, go tell the Spartans we died here obedient to their commands.”
— Inscription at Thermopylae

Linger not, stranger. Shed no tear.
Go back to those who sent us here.
We are the young they drafted out
To wars their folly brought about.
Go tell those old men, safe in bed,
We took their orders and are dead.