 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
A SONG OF THE BRIGADE.
River that through this purple plain
Toilest—once redder—to the main
Go, kiss for me the banks of Seine;
Toilest—once redder—to the main
Go, kiss for me the banks of Seine;
Tell him I loved, and love for aye,
That his I am though far away,
More his than on the marriage-day.
That his I am though far away,
More his than on the marriage-day.
Tell him thy flowers for him I twine
When first the slow sad mornings shine
In thy dim glass; for he is mine.
When first the slow sad mornings shine
In thy dim glass; for he is mine.
Tell him when evening's tearful light
Bathes those dark towers on Aughrim's height
There where he fought in heart I fight.
Bathes those dark towers on Aughrim's height
There where he fought in heart I fight.
A freeman's banner o'er him waves!
So be it! I but tend the graves
Where freemen sleep whose sons are slaves.
So be it! I but tend the graves
Where freemen sleep whose sons are slaves.
Tell him I nurse his noble race
Nor weep save o'er one sleeping face
Wherein those looks of his I trace.
Nor weep save o'er one sleeping face
Wherein those looks of his I trace.
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For him my beads I count when falls
Moonbeam or shower at intervals
Upon our burn'd and blacken'd walls:
Moonbeam or shower at intervals
Upon our burn'd and blacken'd walls:
And bless him! bless the bold Brigade—
May God go with them, horse and blade,
For Faith's defence, and Ireland's aid!
May God go with them, horse and blade,
For Faith's defence, and Ireland's aid!
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |