Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LAND BETRAYED, 1881-3, by STEPHEN EDWARD DE VERE First Line: Near to the grave's mysterious brink Last Line: To penitence and suffering. Subject(s): Nationalism - Ireland | ||||||||
NEAR to the grave's mysterious brink, Weary, weary, sighing for rest, I pause awhile, ere yet I sink Once more into my mother's breast. In youth I sought a sterner rest, -- To labour, labouring not in vain, To help the friendless and distrest, Asking no guerdon save the gain Of conscience clear, and gratitude, And calm content. Long years went by; I saw but evil spring from good And dear-bought sacrifices lie The sport of fools, the scoff of knaves, Dead ere they blossomed, barren, blighted, By greedy dupes, and willing slaves, Wasted, unhonoured, unrequited. My country, in thy jocund youth Nursling of faith, of love, and song, Thou wert not made for shame or ruth, For trampled right, triumphant wrong. Thy hope was high, thy heart was true, The fire of freedom lit thine eye; Thy homes were pure as morning dew; Reverence was thine, and charity. But glozing tongues turned love to hate, And honour died, and faith decayed; -- Land self-abased, self-immolate, By thy best virtues worst betrayed! Thy sun is set in gloom and storm: Piled waters of a barren deep, And the pale tempest's spectral form Above his tomb their night-watch keep. Farewell! if, bursting prison caves, That Orb once more shall flame in air, Trampling with light the conquered waves, And scattering from his wind-tossed hair A myriad diamond chains, -- bow down Thy humbled head to Him, the King, Who chastens, yet vouchsafes a crown To Penitence and Suffering. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NATIONALITY by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF CONSCIENCE by SEAMUS HEANEY A SONG OF FREEDOM by ALICE MILLIGAN REGINA MENDOSENA by NATHALIA CRANE A NATION ONCE AGAIN by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS A PLEA FOR THE BOG-TROTTERS by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS A SECOND PLEA FOR THE BOG-TROTTERS by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS CELTS AND SAXONS by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS LAMENT FOR THE MILESIANS by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS SELF-ANALYSIS by DAVID IGNATOW |
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