Supposing that I should have the courage

Supposing that I should have the courage
To let a red sword of virtue
Plunge into my heart,
Letting to the weeds of the ground
My sinful blood,
What can you offer me?
A gardened castle?
A flowery kingdom?
What? A hope?
Then hence with your red sword of virtue.

About Stephen Crane

Naturalist novelist and poet, author of The Red Badge of Courage, known for stark, imagistic verse.

More poems by Stephen Crane

View all Stephen Crane poems →

More Faith & Spirituality poems

View all Faith & Spirituality poems →