BRAVE spirit! mourned with fond regret, Lost in life's pride, in valor's noon, Oh! who could deem thy star should set So darkly and so soon! Fatal, though bright, the fire of mind Which marked and closed thy brief career; And the fair wreath, by Hope entwined, Lies withered on thy bier. The soldier's death hath been thy doom, The soldier's tear thy meed shall be; Yet, son of war! a prouder tomb Might Fate have reared for thee. Thou shouldst have died, O high-souled chief! In those bright days of glory fled, When triumph so prevailed o'er grief, We scarce could mourn the dead. Noontide of fame! each tear-drop then Was worthy of a warrior's grave: When shall affection weep again So proudly o'er the brave? There, on the battle-fields of Spain, 'Midst Roncesvalles' mountain-scene, Or on Vittoria's blood-red plain, Meet had thy deathbed been. We mourn not that a hero's life Thus in its ardent prime should close; Hadst thou but fallen in nobler strife, But died 'midst conquered foes! Yet hast thou still (though victory's flame In that last moment cheered thee not) Left Glory's isle another name, That ne'er may be forgot: And many a tale of triumph won, Shall breathe that name in Memory's ear, And long may England mourn a son Without reproach or fear. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHEN DEY 'LISTED COLORED SOLDIERS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE HILL WIFE: THE OFT-REPEATED DREAM by ROBERT FROST ESTONIAN BRIDAL SONG by JOHANN GOTTFRIED VON HERDER ODE FOR A SOCIAL MEETING, WITH SLIGHT ALTERATIONS BY A TEETOTALER by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES MAIDENHOOD by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW A GIRL OF POMPEII by EDWARD SANDFORD MARTIN A SPIRITUAL AND WELL-ORDERED MIND by HENRY ALFORD |