Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BATTLE EVE OF THE BRIGADE, by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS Poet's Biography First Line: The mess-tent is full, and the glasses are set Last Line: Lie the soldiers and chiefs of the irish brigade. Subject(s): Army - Ireland | ||||||||
I. THE mess-tent is full, and the glasses are set, And the gallant Count Thomond is president yet; The vet'ran arose, like an uplifted lance, Crying -- "Comrades, a health to the monarch of France!" With bumpers and cheers they have done as he bade, For King Louis is loved by The Irish Brigade. II. "A health to King James," and they bent as they quaffed, "Here's to George the Elector," and fiercely they laughed, "Good luck to the girls we wooed long ago, Where Shannon, and Barrow, and Blackwater flow;" "God prosper Old Ireland," -- you'd think them afraid, So pale grew the chiefs of The Irish Brigade. III. "But, surely, that light cannot come from our lamp? And that noise -- are they all getting drunk in the camp?" "Hurrah! boys, the morning of battle is come, And the generale's beating on many a drum." So they rush from the revel to join the parade; For the van is the right of The Irish Brigade. IV. They fought as they revelled, fast, fiery, and true, And, though victors, they left on the field not a few; And they, who survived, fought and drank as of yore, But the land of their heart's hope they never saw more For in far foreign fields, from Dunkirk to Belgrade, Lie the soldiers and chiefs of The Irish Brigade. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLOWER OF FINAE by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS A BALLAD OF SARSFIELD; OR, THE BURSTING OF THE GUNS by AUBREY THOMAS DE VERE TO A CERTAIN VERY UGLY BUILDING: THE ARMORY by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS THE DEATH OF SARSFIELD; A CHAUNT OF THE BRIGADE by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS THE SUPRISE OF CREMONA (1702) by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS CLARE'S DRAGOONS by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS FONTENOY by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS LAMENT FOR THE DEATH OF EOGHAN RUADH (OWEN ROE) O'NEIL by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS NATIONALITY by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS THE BOATMAN OF KINSALE by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS |
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