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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BANSHEE'S WAIL, by MARY DOWNING First Line: Thy life was like the mountain stream Last Line: Is faded and lost for ever. Subject(s): Banshees | |||
THY life was like the mountain stream, That in the rocky dell has birth, Now rushing, while its waters gleam, Exulting in the sun's warm beam; And, when its wild waves brightest seem, Dark sinking in its native earth. Who, now, shall bid the clansmen speed The signal and the gathering-cry? Who, now, shall rein the stalwart steed? Who, now, shall urge the glorious deed? Who, now, the warrior clans shall lead When the battle-shout is nigh? Though many a noble one lies dead -- Though groaning heaps around thee lie -- Though many a gallant chief, who led His clans, o'er night, has bravely bled; Though many a daring soul has fled -- Yet, oh! what were they all to thee? The day-beam breaks on the green hill-side, And gleams o'er hill and river; And the Saxon banner is floating wide, With the blood of the hapless heroes dyed; But MacCaura's boast, and MacCaura's pride, Is faded and lost for ever. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SORROW OF FINDEBAR by FRANCIS LEDWIDGE THE BANSHEE by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY THE BANSHEE by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER THE GRAVE OF MACCAURA by MARY DOWNING VARIATIONS ON A THEME: ROMANCE by EDITH SITWELL SUMMER LONGINGS by DENIS FLORENCE MCCARTHY |
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