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Literary
October 9, 1821
The Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Thomas Campbell's poem 'The Dirge of Wallace' mourns the execution of Scottish hero William Wallace. It depicts Lady Wallace's foreboding visions, the lack of honors at his death, contrasts with his past glories in battle, and affirms his enduring patriotic legacy.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POETRY.
THE DIRGE OF WALLACE.
By Thomas Campbell, Esq.
THEY lighted a taper at the dead of night, And chaunted their holiest hymn; But her brow and her bosom were damp with affright, Her eye was all sleepless and dim; And the lady of Elderslie wept for her Lord, When a death-watch beat in her lonely room. When her curtain had shook of its own accord, And the raven had flapp'd at her window board, To tell of her warrior's doom!
Now sing ye the death-song, and loudly pray, For the soul of my knight so dear; And call me a widow this wretched day, Since the warning of God is here ! For night-mare rides on my strangled sleep : The lord of my bosom is doomed to die His valorous heart they have wounded deep And the blood-tears shall his country weep, For Wallace of Elderslie !
Yet knew not his country that ominous hour Ere the loud matin bell was rung, That a trumpet of death on an English tower, Had the dirge of her champion sung ! When his dungeon-light look'd dim and red On the high-born blood of a martyr slain, No anthem was sung at his holy death-bed; No weeping was there when his bosom fled— And his heart was rent in twain !
Oh. it was not thus when oaken spear Was true to that knight forlorn ; And hosts of a thousand were scattered like deer, At the blast of the hunter's horn : When he strode on the wreck of each well fought field With the yellow-hair'd chiefs of his native land : For his lance was not shivered on helmet nor shield And the sword that seem'd fit for Archangel to wield Was light in his terrible hand!
Yet bleeding and bound, though her Wallace might For his long loved country die, The bugle ne'er sung to a braver knight Than Wallace of Elderslie ! But the day of his glory shall never depart. His head unentomb'd shall with glory be balm'd. From its blood-streaming altar his spirit shall start, Though the raven has fed on his mouldering heart A nobler was never embalm'd !
THE DIRGE OF WALLACE.
By Thomas Campbell, Esq.
THEY lighted a taper at the dead of night, And chaunted their holiest hymn; But her brow and her bosom were damp with affright, Her eye was all sleepless and dim; And the lady of Elderslie wept for her Lord, When a death-watch beat in her lonely room. When her curtain had shook of its own accord, And the raven had flapp'd at her window board, To tell of her warrior's doom!
Now sing ye the death-song, and loudly pray, For the soul of my knight so dear; And call me a widow this wretched day, Since the warning of God is here ! For night-mare rides on my strangled sleep : The lord of my bosom is doomed to die His valorous heart they have wounded deep And the blood-tears shall his country weep, For Wallace of Elderslie !
Yet knew not his country that ominous hour Ere the loud matin bell was rung, That a trumpet of death on an English tower, Had the dirge of her champion sung ! When his dungeon-light look'd dim and red On the high-born blood of a martyr slain, No anthem was sung at his holy death-bed; No weeping was there when his bosom fled— And his heart was rent in twain !
Oh. it was not thus when oaken spear Was true to that knight forlorn ; And hosts of a thousand were scattered like deer, At the blast of the hunter's horn : When he strode on the wreck of each well fought field With the yellow-hair'd chiefs of his native land : For his lance was not shivered on helmet nor shield And the sword that seem'd fit for Archangel to wield Was light in his terrible hand!
Yet bleeding and bound, though her Wallace might For his long loved country die, The bugle ne'er sung to a braver knight Than Wallace of Elderslie ! But the day of his glory shall never depart. His head unentomb'd shall with glory be balm'd. From its blood-streaming altar his spirit shall start, Though the raven has fed on his mouldering heart A nobler was never embalm'd !
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mortality
Patriotism
Liberty Freedom
What keywords are associated?
Wallace
Dirge
Elderslie
Scotland
Martyr
Patriot
Execution
Battle
Glory
What entities or persons were involved?
By Thomas Campbell, Esq.
Literary Details
Title
The Dirge Of Wallace.
Author
By Thomas Campbell, Esq.
Subject
Dirge For The Death Of William Wallace
Key Lines
They Lighted A Taper At The Dead Of Night, And Chaunted Their Holiest Hymn; But Her Brow And Her Bosom Were Damp With Affright, Her Eye Was All Sleepless And Dim;
For Wallace Of Elderslie !
Yet Bleeding And Bound, Though Her Wallace Might For His Long Loved Country Die, The Bugle Ne'er Sung To A Braver Knight Than Wallace Of Elderslie !
A Nobler Was Never Embalm'd !