Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IOTIS DYING, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IOTIS DYING, by                    
First Line: Two hours before the dawning
Last Line: "and sheep-bells gaily jingling, as the white flock moves along"
Subject(s): Death;enemies;stars; "dead, The;


Two hours before the dawning, while yet the night-stars gleam,
I wake me from my slumber, and plunge into the stream;
I look around and listen -- the morning watch is mine --
I hear the beeches rustle, I hear the murmuring pine.

My comrades lie around me; but yet they do not sleep.
They call upon their captain -- they call him and they weep;
'Up, up, Iotis! rouse thee -- to battle with thy best!
The enemy are on us! -- up, up, we may not rest!'

'What shall I say, my children? -- how answer to your call?
This wound of mine is mortal; deep struck the deadly ball;
'Tis burning in my bosom -- ye summon me in vain:
O! never in the combat my sword shall flash again!

'Your hands, my brave ones! raise me -- once more erect I stand,
Once more ye gather round me, my true and trusty band!
Sounds not my voice as clearly as in the battle cry?
Then bring me wine, bright sparkling, that I may drink and die!

'O! were I on the mountains -- the mountains wild and free!
Beside the upland forest, beneath the spreading tree;
To feel the breezes blowing, to hear the wild-bird's song,
And sheep-bells gaily jingling, as the white flock moves along!'





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