Supposing That I Should Have The Courage

Supposing that I should have the courage
To let a red sword of virtue 
Plunge into my heart,
Letting to the weeds of the ground
My sinful blood,
What can you offer me?
A gardened castle?
A flowery kingdom?

What?  A hope?
Then hence with your red sword of virtue.

            Stephen Crane
                 1894