WEEPST thou for him, whose doom was sealed On England's proudest battle-field? For him, the lion-heart, who died In victory's full resistless tide! Oh, mourn him not! By deeds like his that field was won, And Fate could yield to Valor's son No brighter lot. He heard his band's exulting cry, He saw the vanquished eagles fly; And envied be his death of fame, It shed a sunbeam o'er his name That naught shall dim: No cloud obscured his glory's day, It saw no twilight of decay -- Weep not for him! And breathe no dirge's plaintive moan, A hero claims far loftier tone! Oh! proudly should the war-song swell, Recording how the mighty fell In that dread hour, When England, 'midst the battle-storm -- The avenging angel -- reared her form In tenfold power. Yet, gallant heart! to swell thy praise Vain were the minstrel's noblest lays; Since he, the soldier's guiding-star, The Victor-chief, the lord of war, Has owned thy fame: And oh! like his approving word, What trophied marble could record A warrior's name? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SEVEN TWILIGHTS: 3 by CONRAD AIKEN MARJORIE'S WOOING by EMMA LAZARUS DEDICATION FOR A PLOT OF GROUND by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE LATE SINGER by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS ANGLOSAXON STREET by EARL (EARLE) BIRNEY |