Classic Poem

Hark! in the still night. Who goes there ?
“Fifteen dead men' Why do they wait ?
“Hasten, comrade, death is so fair'
Now comes their Captain through the dim gate.

Sixteen dead men! What on their sword ?
“A nation's honour proud do they bear.'
What on their bent heads ? ' God's holy word ;
All of their nation's heart blended in prayer'

Sixteen dead men! What makes their shroud ?
“All of their nations love wraps them around'
Where do their bodies lie, brave and so proud ?
“Under the gallows-tree in prison ground.'

Sixteen dead men! Where do they go ?
“To join their regiment, where Sarsfield leads ;
Wolfe Tone and Emmet, too, well do they know.
There shall they bivouac, telling great deeds.'

Sixteen dead men! Shall they return ?
“Tea, they shall come again, breath of our breath.
They on our nation's hearth made old fires burn.
Guard her unconquered soul, strong in their death.'