A Spartan Creed

Take the following for whatever it's worth. I wrote it a while back.


Let it not be said that we
Winced in fear of men's words;
Nor in fear of their might or madness.

Let it not be said that we
Lived by the instruments of war;
But that, if forced, could wield them.

Let it not be said that we
Battled for the glory of our pride;
But for the defeat of our weaknesses.

Yet let it be said that we were
Men who lived willingly, and died gladly,
By one simple yet iron code:

In battle, victory;
In defeat, dignity;
But above all else, the tireless forging
Of character.

Let this be our lasting legacy.