# Looking for a poem: "But see, the field is clear!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2020, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-poem-but-see-the-field-is-clear/926763 "2020-11-30T04:59:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 13
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-poem-but-see-the-field-is-clear/926763/13 "2020-11-30T15:07:40Z")
Just by coincidence, I quoted that one yesterday in the Games thread about the Broncos-Saints game: > [@Broncos are going to play Saints without any quarterbacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broncos-are-going-to-play-saints-without-any-quarterbacks/926730/22): > > Ah well, the receiver-cum-quarterback did his duty: > > > [@](#): > > > > THERE’S a breathless hush in the Close to-night - > > > > > Ten to make and the match to win - > > > A bumping pitch and a blinding light, > > > An hour to play and the last man in. > > > And it’s not for the sake of a ribboned coat, > > > Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame, > > > But his Captain’s hand on his shoulder smote > > > “Play up! play up! and play the game!” There is a difference between the two, though. _Vitaï Lampada_ seems more straightforward, not to give in even in clearly bad circumstances; courage even in a last hope situation; a leadership role. “Say not…” is more about discouragement even when others are still pushing forward with the struggle, and you don’t appreciate that your own efforts will contribute to the victory, even though that’s not apparent at the time. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-poem-but-see-the-field-is-clear/926763)._