That Bit Too Bold Poem by Francis Duggan

The one without fear may be short lived indeed
Since to survive to an old age some fear one does need
Many of the fearless at a young age does die
To say those with some fear outlive them is not telling a lie
Of the brave youthful dead the praises are often sung
But were they less fearless they may not have died young
Discretion is often the better side of valour as the wise one did say
If the fearless were less brave they would be living today
The bugler for the noble dead young war hero the Last Post does play
But his ears deaf to sound in the dark earth where he lay
His greatest gift the gift of life in war he gave away
For fame to die young too big a price to pay
Many of the fearless will not live to grow old
One may say of them they are that bit too bold