Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HAVE YE COUNTED THE COST?, by JANE FRANCESCA WILDE Poet's Biography First Line: Will our leaders faint and falter Last Line: Then, may god defend the right! Alternate Author Name(s): Speranza; Elgee, Jane Francesca; Wilde, William Robert Wills, Mrs. Subject(s): Nationalism - Ireland | ||||||||
I. WILL our Leaders faint and falter At the foes they have to bind -- The Ignorance and Prejudice, Bigot heart and shallow mind? Do they tremble at the ordeal That is looming from afar -- The battle, and the hero-death, And vict'ry's fiery car? II. Ah! the brave ones! Lion-hearted! They whose prophet-accents rung, As if pentecostal fires Had been kindled on their tongue; Some with words of soft persuasion, Melting hearts of stern and strong, Like the minor chord that waketh All our tears in Irish song. III. Some with glance, like eagles, fearless, And great thoughts that kindle deeds, Bowing souls of men before them As the storm-wind sweeps the reeds. Will they sink down, pale and weary? Vain is preaching to the wind, Burning words and supplications -- Slavish souls are deaf and blind. IV. Never! Like the protomartyr, Ages since on Judah's plains, While around him, furious raging, Stood the fierce, unbranded Cains; So, sublime in holy daring, Stand our Leaders calmly there, Though such grief their spirit's clouding As might quickly fade young hair. V. Grief for the idiot people, Who, with suicidal hand, Strive to bind the fetters closer On their prostrate, bleeding land. But a silver cord of gladness Is inwoven in the gloom -- Through the midnight of our sadness, Brightest stars from heaven loom. VI. Morning comes when night is darkest, Near to evil good will spring, As the Indian serpent resteth On the leaf that heals its sting. Braver spirits will enkindle, To redeem our abject race; Noble hearts will beat yet nobler, To retrieve our past disgrace. VII. Brighter still, and brighter shining, Seems the glory of the few, Who, in face of earth and heaven, Swear to God they dare be true. Let the masses pass on scorning, Seek not courage in their mind; Self-devotion, patriot fervour, Spring not from the craven kind. VIII. Abject tears, and prayers submissive -- Have they eyes, and cannot see? Never country gained her freedom When she sued on bended knee. Be our Leaders, then, still daring, Bold in word, and brave in fight; And when comes the day of trial, Then, may God defend the Right! | 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 THE FAMINE YEAR by JANE FRANCESCA WILDE A LAMENT by JANE FRANCESCA WILDE A REMONSTRANCE; ADDRESSED TO D. FLORENCE M'CARTHY, M.R.I.A. by JANE FRANCESCA WILDE |
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