Sure, whatever else we met, we should meet our foe.

Spurred or balked at every stride by the other's strength,

[17]

So we rode the ages down and every ocean's length!

Where did you refrain from us or we refrain from you?

Ask the wave that has not watched war between us two!

Others held us for a while, but with weaker charms,

These we quitted at the call for each other's arms.

Eager toward the known delight, equally we strove—

Each the other's mystery, terror, need, and love

To each other's open court with our proofs we came.

Where could we find honour else, or men to test our claim?

From each other's throat we wrenched—valour's last reward—

That extorted word of praise gasped 'twixt lunge and guard.

In each other's cup we poured mingled blood and tears,

[18]

Brutal joys, unmeasured hopes, intolerable fears—

All that soiled or salted life for a thousand years.

Proved beyond the need of proof, matched in every clime,

O companion, we have lived greatly through all time!

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