Across the vast Soudan was borne While England bowed her head The words which thrilled each British heart "Our mighty Hero's dead." With bated breath we heard that phrase Which buries hope -- "too late!" For honour! General Gordon lived -- For honour met his fate. @3Chorus@1 Too late! too late to save him, Too late! in vain we tried. Fighting for those who loved him A hero's death he died. Too late! yet Gordon's story A deathless charm imparts, He died for England's glory, He lives in England's hearts. Cut off -- abandoned -- at Khartoum Far out in the Soudan One man against ten thousand stood; And he an Englishman! For near one year the whole world gazed And praised him with one breath, Think of it, Englishmen! and know What's meant by Gordon's death. Too late -- to argue now the cause For which his blood was shed -- Too late -- to think what might have been, Too late -- the Hero's dead, This not the time, nor ours the task On whom to fix the blame; On those who left him in his need Will rest the load of shame. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLIRT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE SLEEPING BEAUTY by SAMUEL ROGERS IMITATRIX ALES by AULUS LICINIUS ARCHIAS STANZAS TO A LADY by JOHN CODRINGTON BAMPFYLDE FIRST CYCLE OF LOVE POEMS: 2 by GEORGE BARKER |