Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CHIEFTAIN'S SON, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CHIEFTAIN'S SON, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Yes, it is ours! - the field is won
Last Line: And bear him homewards on his bloody shield.
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): War


YES, it is ours! -- the field is won,
A dark and evil field!
Lift from the ground my noble son,
And bear him homewards on his bloody shield.

Let me not hear your trumpets ring,
Swell not the battle-horn!
Thoughts far too sad those notes will bring,
When to the grave my glorious flower is borne!

Speak not of victory! -- in the name
There is too much of woe!
Hushed be the empty voice of Fame --
Call me back his whose graceful head is low.

Speak not of victory! -- from my halls
The sunny hour is gone!
The ancient banner on my walls,
Must sink ere long; I had but him -- but one!

Within the dwelling of my sires
The hearths will soon be cold,
With me must die the beacon-fires
That streamed at midnight from the mountain-hold.

And let them fade, since this must be,
My lovely and my brave!
Was thy bright blood poured forth for me?
And is there but for stately youth a grave?

Speak to me once again, my boy!
Wilt thou not hear my call!
Thou wert so full of life and joy,
I had not dreamt of this -- that thou couldst fall!

Thy mother watches from the steep
For thy returning plume;
How shall I tell her that thy sleep
Is of the silent house, the untimely tomb?

Thou didst not seem as one to die,
With all thy young renown!
-- Ye saw his falchion's flash on high,
In the mid-fight, when spears and crests went down!

Slow be your march! the field is won!
A dark and evil field!
Lift from the ground my noble son,
And bear him homewards on his bloody shield.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net