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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LAMENT FOR THE GRAHAM by HENRY THE MINSTREL

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN THEY HIM FAND, AND GUDE WALLACE HIM SAW
Last Line: I SALL THEE VENGE, OR ELLIS THEREFORE TO DIE.'
Subject(s): WALLACE, SIR WILLIAM (1270-1305);
WHEN they him fand, and gude Wallace him saw,
He lychtit doun, and hynt him fra them a'
In armis up; beholdand his pale face
He kissit him, and cry'd full oft: 'Allace!
My best brother in warld that ever I had!
My ae fald friend when I was hardest stad!
My hope, my heal, thou wast in maist honour!
My faith, my help, strenthiest in stour!
In thee was wit, fredome, and hardiness;
In thee was truth, manheid, and nobleness;
In thee was rule, in thee was governance;
In thee was virtue withouten variance;
In thee lawtie, in thee was great largesse;
In thee gentrice, in thee was steadfastnesse.
In thee was great cause of winning of Scotland,
Though I began and took the war on hand.
I vow to God, that has the warld in wauld
Thy deid sall be to Southeron full dear sauld.
Martyr thou art for Scotlandis richt and me;
I sall thee venge, or ellis therefore to die.'



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