CIX: A journey home from battles lost and won

The boy looked out the window of the car,

and inward looked the trees and hills beside.

They saw, within, a knight who'd traveled far,

but he saw, out, a pin to pierce his pride.

This land was his to conquer, thought the boy—

to put before his King, to face His force.

But he was what was conquered, like in Troy,

but if the Trojans hacked inside the horse.

What banner had he born, to be so struck?

What piece of armor had he held unclad?

Was it his Master's flag that he held up?

Or was it his, the only one he had?

But still, thought he, the conquered in the car:

a conquered boy might bear His banner far.