YE Spartan mothers, gentle ones, Of lion-hearted, loving sons, Fal'n, the flower of English youth, To a barbarous foe in a land uncouth:-- O what a delicate sacrifice! Unequal the stake and costly the price As when the queen of Love deplor'd Her darling by the wild-beast gor'd. They rode to war as if to the hunt, But ye at home, ye bore the brunt, Bore the siege of torturing fears, Fed your hope on the bread of tears. Proud and spotless warriors they With love or sword to lead the way; For ye had cradled heart and hand, The commander harken'd to your command. Ah, weeping mothers, now all is o'er, Ye know your honor and mourn no more: Nor ask ye a name in England's story, Who gave your dearest for her glory. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLOWER BOAT by ROBERT FROST FLUTE-PRIEST SONG FOR RAIN; CEREMONIAL AT THE SUN SPRING by AMY LOWELL THE PET NAME by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING OLNEY HYMNS: 1. WALKING WITH GOD by WILLIAM COWPER THE MAYFLOWER [DECEMBER 21, 1620] by ERASTUS WOLCOTT ELLSWORTH A MORNING THOUGHT by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL THE WORMS AT HEAVEN'S GATE by WALLACE STEVENS ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 15. ON DOMESTIC MANNERS (UNFINISHED) by MARK AKENSIDE |