Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FIGHT OF THE FORLORN, SELS. by GEORGE DARLEY

First Line: BARD! TO NO BRAVE CHIEF BELONGING

Bard! to no brave chief belonging,
Hath green Eirin no defenders?
See her sons to battle thronging,
Gael's broad swords and Ir's bow benders!


Clan Tir-oen! Clan Tir-conel!
Atha's·n royal sept of Conacht!
Desmond red and dark O'Donel!
Fierce O'More and stout M'Donacht!


Hear the sounding spears of Tara,
On the blue shields how they rattle,
Hear the reckless Lord of Lara
Humming his short song of battle!


Ullin's chief, the great O'Nial,
Sternly with his brown axe playing,
Mourns for the far hour of trial
And disdains this long delaying!


Grey O'Ruark's self doth chide me
Through his iron beard and hoary,
Murmuring in his breast beside me:
On to our old fields of glory!


Red-branch crests, like roses flaming,
Toss with scorn around Hidallan,
Battle, blood and death proclaiming!
Fear'st thou still for &Lcirc;nisfallan?




Home: PoetryExplorer.net