Editor's note
Ranking is generated by Storgy's classification model, which scores each poem's thematic depth on this subject relative to the rest of the corpus. The list is re-indexed weekly as new poems enter the public-domain corpus.
Best poems about — Storgy
Courage.
Twenty-five poems, ranked.
25 of the finest public-domain poems about courage, ranked by thematic depth. Scored by Storgy's classification model against the rest of the corpus, and re-indexed weekly as new works enter the canon.
The leading three
01
The Golden Hynde
Alfred Noyes · 1908
“Alfred Noyes's "The Golden Hynde" tells the exciting story of Sir Francis Drake's adventurous journey on his legendary ship, embodying the excitement of Elizabe…”
Open the poem
02
If—
Rudyard Kipling · 1910
“Kipling's "If—" offers a father's guidance to his son on living a fulfilling life—a sort of checklist outlining the traits that define true strength and decency…”
Open the poem
03
Huntress
H. D. · 1916
“A group of huntresses challenges an outsider to keep pace with them as they dash across hills and through woods in an exhilarating chase. The poem serves as a p…”
Open the poem
The complete index
- 04
If We Must Die
Claude McKay · 1919
A Black man urges his community to reject the idea of dying as victims. If death is inevitable, face it with strength and fight back instead of hiding. The poem emphasizes that dyi…
- 05
Cap'n Storm-Along
Alfred Noyes · 1922
This is an energetic sea shanty-style poem celebrating a legendary British naval commander, "Cap'n Storm-along," who guides a ragtag fleet of fishing and patrol boats against Germa…
- 06
The Big Black Trawler
Alfred Noyes · 1922
A sailor shares the tale of a rugged old fisherman on a large black trawler who makes it through a polar shipwreck by relying on sheer determination and a clever trick: soaking his…
- 07
The Vindictive
Alfred Noyes · 1922
This poem pays tribute to the sailors who served on HMS *Vindictive* during the Zeebrugge Raid in April 1918, a bold British mission to obstruct a German submarine base. Noyes vivi…
- 08
Tableau
Countee Cullen · 1925
Two boys — one Black and one white — stroll down the street with their arms linked, while both the Black and white communities watch them with disapproval. The boys pay no attentio…
- 09
Against Cassius Severus
Horace
Horace confronts a critic named Cassius Severus, labeling him a coward for going after easy targets rather than facing someone who can push back. He likens himself to a fierce guar…
- 10
Against the Degeneracy of the Roman Youth
Horace
Horace urges Roman youth to be resilient, stand up for themselves, and adhere to a strict code of honor—because dying for your country is far better than dying in disgrace, and onl…
- 11
A Mother
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This short poem portrays a mother standing up for her right to bring her children to Jesus for his blessing, resisting those who would turn them away. In just three lines, Longfell…
- 12
A National Song of Denmark
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This poem serves as a powerful war anthem that honors three legendary Danish naval heroes: King Christian IV, Admiral Nils Juel, and Peter Wessel Tordenskjold, each of whom defeate…
- 13
An Incident of the Fire at Hamburg
James Russell Lowell
A massive fire sweeps through Hamburg, but an old church bell-ringer named Herman won’t abandon his tower. Instead of panicking, he rings the church bells in a hymn of praise even…
- 14
A Psalm of Life
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A Psalm of Life is Longfellow's invitation to stop dwelling on death and begin living with intention. He reminds us that life isn’t just a dream to drift through — it’s a struggle…
- 15
As I Lay with My Head in Your Lap Camerado
Walt Whitman
Whitman rests his head in a companion's lap and shares a candid truth: he’s a troublemaker at heart, his words can stir up chaos, and he’s been leading this friend on an uncharted…
- 16
A Sledge-Ride on the Ice
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A king named Ring dismisses a stranger's warning and speeds his sledge across a frozen lake, only for the enigmatic stranger to catch up and carve runes into the ice — including th…
- 17
A Tragedy in Five Acts
Percy Bysshe Shelley
*The Cenci* is Shelley's five-act verse tragedy centered on Beatrice Cenci, a young Roman noblewoman who orchestrated the murder of her father, Count Francesco Cenci, in 1599, afte…
- 18
At the Consecration of Pulaski's Banner
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A group of nuns bless a crimson battle banner for the Polish-American hero Casimir Pulaski, singing a hymn that sends him off to war with their blessings, prayers for victory, and…
- 19
Beowulf's Expedition to Heort
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This poem tells the story of Beowulf and his fifteen warriors as they journey from Geatland to Denmark to assist King Hrothgar, whose kingdom is under threat from the monster Grend…
- 20
Big Wind
Theodore Roethke
A greenhouse endures a fierce storm overnight, while the workers caring for it struggle to keep the plants alive by pumping water and steam throughout the night. By morning, the st…
- 21
By Gonzalo De Berceo
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A Christian army, facing overwhelming odds and nearing defeat, suddenly sees two shining, heavenly knights descend from the sky to join the fight. These warriors are revealed to be…
- 22
Captains
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A small, weary, and under-equipped group gazes at a massive enemy force shining in the morning sun, questioning how they could even hope to win. It's a moment filled with raw human…
- 23
Casabianca
Felicia Dorothea Hemans
A young boy stands on a burning ship during a battle, determined to stay at his post because his father—the ship's commander—hasn’t told him to leave. His father is already dead be…
- 24
Charlemagne
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This poem depicts the moment Emperor Charlemagne arrives, seen from the perspective of two men in a tower — a fearful king and another who recognizes Charlemagne. Soldiers march be…
- 25
Choir
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A brief poem by Longfellow takes its opening lines from a Latin monastic hymn, urging a choir — and, by extension, everyone — to rise during the night and watch together. It offers…
Read deeper