I know that I shall meet my fate Somewhere among the clouds above; Those that I fight I do not hate, Those that I guard I do not love; My country is Kiltartan Cross, My countrymen Kiltartan's poor, No likely end could bring them loss Or leave them happier than before. Nor law, nor duty bade me fight, Nor public men, nor cheering crowds, A lonely impulse of delight Drove to this tumult in the clouds; I balanced all, brought all to mind, The years to come seemed waste of breath, A waste of breath the years behind In balance with this life, this death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET (ON RECEIVING A LETTER INFORMING ME OF THE BIRTH OF A SON) by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE MODERN LOVE: 47 by GEORGE MEREDITH IAMBICUM TRIMETRUM, FR. LETTER TO HARVEY by EDMUND SPENSER THE NOTHING REDEMPTION by BRUCE WEIGL ON HEARING THAT THE STUDENTS OF OUR NEW UNIVERSITY JOINED AGITATION .. by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS ABIDE WITH US by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR WRITTEN TO GAALDINE PRISON CAVES TO A.G.A. by EMILY JANE BRONTE |