The Unknown Warrior of the World War

The unknown dead? Not so; we know him well,
Who died for us on that red soil of France.
Who faced the fearful shock of gas and shell,
And laughed at death in some blood-strewn advance.

Nameless, in truth, but crowned with such a name
As glory gives to those who greatly die;
Who marched, a simple soldier, with the flame
Of duty bidding him to Calvary.

He is all brothers dead, all lovers lost,
All sons and comrades resting over there;
The symbol of the Knightly, fallen host,
The sacred pledge of burdens yet to bear.

Mangled and torn, for whom we pray today,
Whose soul rose grandly to God's peaceful throne,
Leaving to us this quiet, shattered clay
Silent, and still-unnamed-but not unknown.

-JOHN R. RATHOM, Providence Journal, 1921 .