---

Thomas Moore - Befire the Battle
Work rating: Low

By the hope within us springing, 
   Herald of to-morrow`s strife; 
By that sun, whose light is bringing 
   Chains or freedom, death or life — 
Oh! remember life can be 
No charm for him, who lives not free! 
   Like the day-star in the wave, 
   Sinks a hero in his grave, 
`Midst the dew-fall of a nation`s tears. 

   Happy is he o`er whose decline 
   The smiles of home may soothing shine, 
And light him down the steep of years: 
   But oh, how blest they sink to rest, 
   Who close their eyes on victory`s breast! 

O`er his watch-fire`s fading embers 
   Now the foeman`s cheek turns white, 
When his heart that field remembers, 
   Where we tamed his tyrant might. 
Never let him bind again 
A chain like that we broke from then. 
   Hark! the horn of combat calls — 
   Ere the golden evening falls, 
May we pledge that horn in triumph round.

   Many a heart that now beats high, 
   In slumber cold at night shall lie, 
Nor waken even at victory`s sound: — 
   But oh how blest that hero`s sleep, 
   O`er whom a wondering world shall weep!
Source
The script ran 0.001 seconds.