Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE VICTOR'S BURIAL by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS

First Line: WRAP HIM IN HIS BANNER, THE BEST SHROUD OF THE BRAVE
Last Line: THAT HE DIED, IN HIS PRIDE, -- WITH HIS FOES ABOUT HIM STROWN!
Subject(s): FUNERALS; BURIALS;

I.

WRAP him in his banner, the best shroud of the brave --
Wrap him in his @3onchu@1, and take him to his grave --
Lay him not down lowly, like bulwark overthrown,
But, gallantly upstanding, as if risen from his throne,
With his @3craiseach@1 in his hand, and his sword on his thigh,
With his war-belt on his waist, and his @3cathbharr@1 on high --
Put his @3fleasg@1 upon his neck -- his green flag round him fold,
Like ivy round a castle wall -- not conquered, but grown old --
@3Mhuire as truagh! A mhuire as truagh! A mhuire as truagh! ochon!@1
Weep for him! Oh! weep for him, but remember, in your moan,
That he died, in his pride, -- with his foes about him strown.

II.

Oh! shrine him in Beinn-Edair with his face to wards the foe,
As an emblem that not death our defiance can lay low --
Let him look across the waves from the promontory's breast,
To menace back The East, and to sentinel The West;
Sooner shall these channel waves the iron coast cut through,
Than the spirit he has left, yield, Easterlings! to you --
Let his coffin be the hill, let the eagles of the sea
Chorus with the surges round, the @3tuireamh@1 of the free!
@3'Mhuire as truagh! A mhuire as truagh! A mhuire as truagh! ochon!@1
Weep for him! Oh! weep for him, but remember, in your moan,
That he died, in his pride, -- with his foes about him strown!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net