Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LAMENT FOR THE GRAHAM, by HENRY THE MINSTREL


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LAMENT FOR THE GRAHAM, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When they him fand, and gude wallace him saw
Last Line: I sall thee venge, or ellis therefore to die.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Blind Harry; Harry The Minstre
Subject(s): Wallace, Sir William (1270-1305)


WHEN they him fand, and gude Wallace him saw,
He lychtit doun, and hynt him fra them a'
In armis up; beholdand his pale face
He kissit him, and cry'd full oft: 'Allace!
My best brother in warld that ever I had!
My ae fald friend when I was hardest stad!
My hope, my heal, thou wast in maist honour!
My faith, my help, strenthiest in stour!
In thee was wit, fredome, and hardiness;
In thee was truth, manheid, and nobleness;
In thee was rule, in thee was governance;
In thee was virtue withouten variance;
In thee lawtie, in thee was great largesse;
In thee gentrice, in thee was steadfastnesse.
In thee was great cause of winning of Scotland,
Though I began and took the war on hand.
I vow to God, that has the warld in wauld
Thy deid sall be to Southeron full dear sauld.
Martyr thou art for Scotlandis richt and me;
I sall thee venge, or ellis therefore to die.'





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