HEART! that didst press forward still,* Where the trumpet's note rang shrill, Where the knightly swords were crossing, And the plumes like sea-foam tossing, Leader of the charging spear, Fiery heart! -- and liest thou @3here?@1 May this narrow spot inurn Aught that so could beat and burn? Heart! that lovedst the clarin's blast, Silent is thy place at last; Silent, -- save when early bird Sings where once the mass was heard; Silent -- save when breeze's moan Comes through flowers or fretted stone; And the wild-rose waves around thee, And the long dark grass hath bound thee, -- Sleep'st thou, as the swain might sleep, In his nameless valley deep? No! brave heart! -- though cold and lone, Kingly power is yet thine own! Feel I not thy spirit brood O'er the whispering solitude; Lo! at one high thought of thee, Fast they rise, the bold, the free, Sweeping past thy lowly bed, With a mute, yet stately tread; Shedding their pale armour's light Forth upon the breathless night, Bending every warlike plume In the prayer o'er saintly tomb. Is the noble Douglas nigh, Armed to follow thee, or die? Now, true heart, as thou wert wont, Pass thou to the peril's front! Where the banner-spear is gleaming, And the battle's red wine streaming, Till the Paynim quail before thee, Till the cross wave proudly o'er thee; -- Dreams! the falling of a leaf Wins me from their splendours brief; Dreams, yet bright ones! scorn them not, Thou that seek'st the holy spot; Nor, amidst its lone domain, Call the faith in relics vain! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PENMAEN POOL by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS TO THE MOON (1) by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY A TRIBUTE TO WILL ROGERS AND WILEY POST by ROSETTA THORSON BEACHLER THE COVERT by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN CAELI by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON |