Classic Poem

" UPLIFT the Gonfanons of war — exalt the ruddy Rood —
Arise ye winds and bear me on against the Paynim brood!
Farewell to forest-cinctured halls, farewell to song and glee,
For toilsome march and clash of swords in glorious Galilee!
And grace to thee, haught damoisel — I ask no parting tear —
Another love may greet thee when I'm laid upon my bier!

" My bark upon the foaming flood shall bound before the gale,
Like arrow in its flight, until the Holy Land we hail;
Then firmly shall our anchors grasp the belt of Eastern land,
For planks will shrink and cordage rot ere we regain this strand;
And welcome be the trumpet's sound, the war-steed's tramp and neigh,
And death, for Palestina's cause, in the battle's hot mellay! "

O never for that love-lorn youth did vessel cleave the seas!
The hand of death was on the lips that wooed the ocean breeze;
They bare him to the damoisel, they laid him at her knee,
Though knight and pilgrim wept aloud — no tear dropt that ladye —
Three times she kissed the clay-cold brow of her unbidden guest,
Then took the vows at Mary's shrine, and there her ashes rest.