THE knightly legend of thy shield betrays The moral of thy life; a forecast wise, And that large honor that deceit defies, Inspired thy fathers in the elder days, Who decked thy scutcheon with that sturdy phrase, To be rather than seem. As eve's red skies Surpass the morning's rosy prophecies, Thy life to that proud boast its answer pays. Scorning thy faith and purpose to defend The ever-mutable multitude at last Will hail the power they did not comprehend, -- Thy fame will broaden through the centuries; As, storm and billowy tumult overpast, The moon rules calmly o'er the conquered seas. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ADDRESS TO A HAGGIS by ROBERT BURNS LAMENT FOR THE DEATH OF EOGHAN RUADH (OWEN ROE) O'NEIL by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS THE PROGRESS OF POESY; A PINDARIC ODE by THOMAS GRAY THE BELLS OF LYNN; HEARD AT NAHANT by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |