How oft has the Benshee cried, <br />How oft has death untied <br />Bright links that Glory wove, <br />Sweet bonds entwined by Love. <br />Peace to each manly soul that sleepeth; <br />Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth; <br />Long may the fair and brave, <br />Sigh o'er the hero's grave. <br /> <br />We're fallen upon gloomy days! <br />Star after star decays. <br />Every bright name, that shed <br />Light o'er the land, is fled. <br />Dark falls the tear of him who mourneth <br />Lost joy, or hope that ne'er returneth: <br />But brightly flows the tear, <br />Wept o'er a hero's bier. <br /> <br />Quench'd are our beacon lights -- <br />Thou, of the Hundred Fights! <br />Thou, on whose burning tongue <br />Truth, peace, and freedom hung! <br />Both mute, -- but long as valour shineth, <br />Or mercy's soul at war repineth, <br />So long shall Erin's pride <br />Tell how they lived and died.<br /><br />Thomas Moore<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/how-oft-has-the-benshee-cried/
