Francis William Bourdillon

Here you will find the Poem The Debt Unpayable of poet Francis William Bourdillon

The Debt Unpayable

What have I given, 
Bold sailor on the sea? 
In earth or heaven, 
That you should die for me? 

What can I give, 
O soldier, leal and brave, 
Long as I live, 
To pay the life you gave? 

What tithe or part 
Can I return to thee, 
O stricken heart, 
That thou shouldst break for me? 

The wind of Death 
For you has slain life's flowers, 
It withereth 
(God grant) all weeds in ours.