John Nichol (biographer) on September 8

“Greece and the world are Rome's: her stars prevail; But our complexion shifts not with the gale. When ONE against a NATION plays his life, He bears from hosts the glory of the strife: Until the hero's godlike race be run I shall be loyal to the setting sun.”

“The portals open to our meteor way:   A red dawn breaks the shadows of the hour. We leave the bitter cup of alien sway,   To hinds that crouch beneath the heels of power. Ours the triumphal path, the hero's right; And Death hangs o'er us like a starry night!”

“Death is dark death when slurred with terrors vain:   Whether blest isles or fields Elysian wait, Or all is silent o'er the circling main,   We know not ever; but we conquer Fate, Assail the mansions of the Gods, and claim The crown of valour, in a deathless name.”

“Tis well to live for glory, home, and land;   And, when these fail us, it is well to die. The latest freedom never fails our hand,   From scornful Earth, on wings of scorn, to fly; When Life grows heavy. Death remains, the door To dreamless rest beside the Stygian shore.”

“Life is glad life when led by laughing hours,   With joys of love or spoils of battle gilt; When darkness steals the day and shuts the flowers,   Our arms are shattered and the wine is spilt, We rise as grateful guests from banquet gay, Resign the wreath, and toss the glass away.”