Classic Poem

PAUL B RIDSON

Take him, O Braddan, for he loved thee well —
Take him, kind mother of my own dear dead!
And let him lay his head
On thy soft breast,
And rest —
Rest.

He loved thee well; and thee, my father, thee
Also he loved. O, meet him! reassure
That heart thou prov'dst so pure —
Whisper release!
And peace —
Peace!

O countrymen, believe me! here is laid
A Manxman's heart the simplest and the truest:
O Spring, when thou renewest
Thy sunny hours,
Bring flowers —
Flowers!
And bring them of thy sweetest
And bring them of thy meetest
And, till God's trumpet wake him,
Take him, O Braddan, take him!