LOWLY upon his bier The royal conqueror lay, Baron and chief stood near Silent in war-array. Down the long minster's aisle, Crowds mutely gazing streamed, Altar and tomb, the while, Through mists of incense gleamed: And by the torch's blaze The stately priest had said High words of power and praise To the glory of the dead. They lowered him, with the sound Of requiems to repose, When from the throngs around A solemn voice arose: "Forbear, forbear!" it cried, In the holiest name forbear! He hath conquered regions wide, But he shall not slumber @3there@1. "By the violated hearth Which made way for yon proud shrine, By the harvests which this earth Hath borne to me and mine; "By the home even here o'erthrown, On my children's native spot, -- Hence! with his dark renown Cumber our birthplace not! "Will my sire's unransomed field O'er which your censers wave, To the buried spoiler yield Soft slumber in the grave? "The tree before him fell Which we cherished many a year, But its deep root yet shall swell And heave against his bier. "The land that I have tilled, Hath yet its brooding breast With my home's white ashes filled -- And it shall not give him rest. "Here each proud column's bed Hath been wet by weeping eyes, -- Hence! and bestow your dead Where no wrong against him cries!" Shame glowed on each dark face Of those proud and steel-girt men, And they bought with gold a place For their leader's dust e'en then. A little earth for him Whose banner flew so far! And a peasant's tale could dim The name, a nation's star! @3One@1 deep voice thus arose From a heart which wrongs had riven -- Oh! who shall number those That were but heard in Heaven? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CATARINA TO CAMOENS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE JEW TO JESUS by FLORENCE KIPER FRANK SONG OF A SECOND APRIL by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY HALSTED STREET CAR by CARL SANDBURG THE BELLS AT MIDNIGHT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH SPLENDID ISOLATION; A MORAL FROM LEXINTON, 1775 by KATHARINE LEE BATES EPITAPH ON ONE DROWNED IN THE SNOW by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |