Sarsfield rode out, the Dutch to rout, And to take and break their cannon; To Mass went he at half-past three, And at four he crossed the Shannon. Tyrconnel slept. In dream his thoughts Old fields of victory ran on; And the chieftains of Thomond in Limerick's towers Slept well by the banks of the Shannon. He rode ten miles and he crossed the ford And couch'd in the wood and waited; Till, left and right on march'd in sight That host which the true men hated. "Charge!" Sarsfield cried; and the green hillside As they charged replied in thunder; They rode o'er the plain, and they rode o'er the slam, And the rebel rout lay under! He burn'd the gear the knaves held dear-- For his King he fought, not plunder; With powder they cramm'd the guns, and ramm'd Their mouths the red soil under The spark flash'd out--like a nation's shout The sound into heaven ascended; The hosts of the sky made to earth reply, And the thunders twain were blended! Sarsfield rode out the Dutch to rout, And to take and break their cannon; A century after, Sarsfield's laughter Was echoed from Dungannon. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DESERTED GARDEN by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING HOLY WILLIE'S PRAYER by ROBERT BURNS THE BELL by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES PRAYER OF A SOLDIER IN FRANCE by ALFRED JOYCE KILMER THE LAST RESERVATION by WALTER LEARNED THE GENERAL by SIEGFRIED SASSOON |