LYRA HEROICA
A BOOK OF VERSE FOR BOYS
SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY
WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY
|
Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife! To all the sensual world proclaim One crowded hour of glorious life Is worth an age without a name. |
| Sir Walter Scott. |
NEW YORK
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
1920
COPYRIGHT, 1891, BY
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
⁂ The selections from Walt Whitman are published by permission of Mr. Whitman; and those from Longfellow, Lowell, Whittier, and Bret Harte, through the courtesy of Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin, & Co., the publishers of their works.
|
TO
WALTER BLAIKIE ARTIST-PRINTER MY PART IN THIS BOOK |
| W. E. H. |
| Edinburgh, July 1891. |
PREFACE
This book of verse for boys is, I believe, the first of its kind in English. Plainly, it were labour lost to go gleaning where so many experts have gone harvesting; and for what is rarest and best in English Poetry the world must turn, as heretofore, to the several ‘Golden Treasuries’ of Professor Palgrave and Mr. Coventry Patmore, and to the excellent ‘Poets' Walk’ of Mr. Mowbray Morris. My purpose has been to choose and sheave a certain number of those achievements in verse which, as expressing the simpler sentiments and the more elemental emotions, might fitly be addressed to such boys—and men, for that matter—as are privileged to use our noble English tongue.
To set forth, as only art can, the beauty and the joy of living, the beauty and the blessedness of death, the glory of battle and adventure, the nobility of devotion—to a cause, an ideal, a passion even—the dignity of resistance, the sacred quality of patriotism, that is my ambition here. Now, to read poetry at all is to have an ideal anthology of one's own, and in that possession to be incapable of content with the anthologies of all the world besides. That is, the personal equation is ever to be reckoned withal, and I have had my preferences, as those that went before me had theirs. I have omitted much, as Aytoun's ‘Lays,’ whose absence many will resent; I have included much, as that brilliant piece of doggerel of Frederick Marryat's, whose presence some will regard with distress. This without reference to enforcements due to the very nature of my work.
I have adopted the birth-day order: for that is the simplest. And I have begun with—not Chaucer, nor Spenser, nor the ballads, but—Shakespeare and Agincourt; for it seemed to me that a book of heroism could have no better starting-point than that heroic pair of names. As for the ballads, I have placed them, after much considering, in the gap between old and new, between classic and romantic, in English verse. The witness of Sidney and Drayton's example notwithstanding, it is not until 1765, when Percy publishes the ‘Reliques,’ that the ballad spirit begins to be the master influence that Wordsworth confessed it was; while as for the history of the matter, there are who hold that ‘Sir Patrick Spens,’ for example, is the work of Lady Wardlaw, which to others, myself among them, is a thing preposterous and distraught.
It remains to add that, addressing myself to boys, I have not scrupled to edit my authors where editing seemed desirable, and that I have broken up some of the longer pieces for convenience in reading. Also, the help I have received while this book of ‘Noble Numbers’ was in course of growth—help in the way of counsel, suggestion, remonstrance, permission to use—has been such that it taxes gratitude and makes complete acknowledgment impossible.
W. E. H.
CONTENTS
| WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564–1616) and | ||
|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL DRAYTON (1563–1631). | ||
| I. | AGINCOURT | PAGE |
| Introit | [1] | |
| Interlude | [2] | |
| Harfleur | [3] | |
| The Eve | [4] | |
| The Battle | [6] | |
| After | [10] | |
| SIR HENRY WOTTON (1568–1639). | ||
| II. | LORD OF HIMSELF | [11] |
| BEN JONSON (1574–1637). | ||
| III. | TRUE BALM | [12] |
| IV. | HONOUR IN BUD | [13] |
| JOHN FLETCHER (1576–1625). | ||
| V. | THE JOY OF BATTLE | [13] |
| FRANCIS BEAUMONT (1586–1616). | ||
| VI. | IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY | [15] |
| ROBERT HERRICK (1591–1674). | ||
| VII. | GOING A-MAYING | [15] |
| VIII. | TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANYTHING | [18] |
| GEORGE HERBERT (1593–1638). | ||
| IX. | MEMENTO MORI | [19] |
| JAMES SHIRLEY (1594–1666). | ||
| X. | THE KING OF KINGS | [20] |
| JOHN MILTON (1608–1674). | ||
| XI. | LYCIDAS | [21] |
| XII. | ARMS AND THE MUSE | [27] |
| XIII. | TO THE LORD GENERAL | [28] |
| XIV. | THE LATE MASSACRE | [28] |
| XV. | ON HIS BLINDNESS | [29] |
| XVI. | EYELESS AT GAZA | [30] |
| XVII. | OUT OF ADVERSITY | [31] |
| JAMES GRAHAM, MARQUIS OF MONTROSE (1612–1650). | ||
| XVIII. | HEROIC LOVE | [31] |
| RICHARD LOVELACE (1618–1658). | ||
| XIX. | GOING TO THE WARS | [32] |
| XX. | FROM PRISON | [33] |
| ANDREW MARVELL (1620–1678). | ||
| XXI. | TWO KINGS | [34] |
| XXII. | IN EXILE | [39] |
| JOHN DRYDEN (1631–1701). | ||
| XXIII. | ALEXANDER'S FEAST | [40] |
| SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709–1784). | ||
| XXIV. | THE QUIET LIFE | [45] |
| BALLADS | ||
| XXV. | CHEVY CHASE | |
| The Hunting | [47] | |
| The Challenge | [49] | |
| The Battle | [51] | |
| The Slain | [54] | |
| The Tidings | [56] | |
| XXVI. | SIR PATRICK SPENS | [57] |
| XXVII. | BRAVE LORD WILLOUGHBY | [60] |
| XXVIII. | HUGHIE THE GRÆME | [64] |
| XXIX. | KINMONT WILLIE | |
| The Capture | [66] | |
| The Keeper's Wrath | [67] | |
| The March | [69] | |
| The Rescue | [71] | |
| XXX. | THE HONOUR OF BRISTOL | [73] |
| XXXI. | HELEN OF KIRKCONNELL | [77] |
| XXXII. | THE TWA CORBIES | [79] |
| THOMAS GRAY (1716–1771). | ||
| XXXIII. | THE BARD | [80] |
| WILLIAM COWPER (1731–1800). | ||
| XXXIV. | THE ROYAL GEORGE | [85] |
| XXXV. | BOADICEA | [86] |
| GRAHAM OF GARTMORE (1735–1797). | ||
| XXXVI. | TO HIS LADY | [88] |
| CHARLES DIBDIN (1745–1814). | ||
| XXXVII. | CONSTANCY | [89] |
| XXXVIII. | THE PERFECT SAILOR | [90] |
| JOHN PHILPOT CURRAN (1750–1817). | ||
| XXXIX. | THE DESERTER | [91] |
| PRINCE HOARE (1755–1834). | ||
| XL. | THE ARETHUSA | [92] |
| WILLIAM BLAKE (1757–1823). | ||
| XLI. | THE BEAUTY OF TERROR | [94] |
| ROBERT BURNS (1759–1796). | ||
| XLII. | DEFIANCE | [95] |
| XLIII. | THE GOAL OF LIFE | [96] |
| XLIV. | BEFORE PARTING | [97] |
| XLV. | DEVOTION | [98] |
| XLVI. | TRUE UNTIL DEATH | [99] |
| WILLIAM WORDSWORTH (1770–1850). | ||
| XLVII. | VENICE | [100] |
| XLVIII. | DESTINY | [101] |
| XLIX. | THE MOTHER LAND | [101] |
| L. | IDEAL | [102] |
| LI. | TO DUTY | [103] |
| LII. | TWO VICTORIES | [105] |
| SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771–1832). | ||
| LIII. | IN MEMORIAM | [107] |
| LIV. | LOCHINVAR | [112] |
| LV. | FLODDEN | |
| The March | [114] | |
| The Attack | [116] | |
| The Last Stand | [119] | |
| LVI. | THE CHASE | [121] |
| LVII. | THE OUTLAW | [126] |
| LVIII. | PIBROCH | [129] |
| LIX. | THE OMNIPOTENT | [130] |
| LX. | THE RED HARLAW | [131] |
| LXI. | FAREWELL | [133] |
| LXII. | BONNY DUNDEE | [134] |
| SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE (1772–1834). | ||
| LXIII. | ROMANCE | [136] |
| WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR (1775–1864). | ||
| LXIV. | SACRIFICE | [138] |
| THOMAS CAMPBELL (1777–1844). | ||
| LXV. | SOLDIER AND SAILOR | [140] |
| LXVI. | ‘YE MARINERS’ | [143] |
| LXVII. | THE BATTLE OF THE BALTIC | [144] |
| EBENEZER ELLIOTT (1781–1846). | ||
| LXVIII. | BATTLE SONG | [146] |
| ALLAN CUNNINGHAM (1785–1842). | ||
| LXIX. | LOYALTY | [147] |
| LXX. | A SEA-SONG | [148] |
| BRYANT WALLER PROCTOR (1787–1874). | ||
| LXXI. | A SONG OF THE SEA | [149] |
| GEORGE GORDON, LORD BYRON (1788–1824). | ||
| LXXII. | SENNACHERIB | [150] |
| LXXIII. | THE STORMING OF CORINTH | |
| The Signal | [151] | |
| The Assault | [153] | |
| The Magazine | [156] | |
| LXXIV. | ALHAMA | [160] |
| LXXV. | FRIENDSHIP | [164] |
| LXXVI. | THE RACE WITH DEATH | [165] |
| LXXVII. | THE GLORY THAT WAS GREECE | [167] |
| LXXVIII. | HAIL AND FAREWELL | [171] |
| CHARLES WOLFE (1791–1823). | ||
| LXXIX. | AFTER CORUNNA | [172] |
| FREDERICK MARRYAT (1792–1848). | ||
| LXXX. | THE OLD NAVY | [174] |
| FELICIA HEMANS (1793–1825). | ||
| LXXXI. | CASABIANCA | [175] |
| LXXXII. | THE PILGRIM FATHERS | [177] |
| JOHN KEATS (1796–1821). | ||
| LXXXIII. | TO THE ADVENTUROUS | [179] |
| THOMAS BABINGTON, LORD MACAULAY (1800–1859). | ||
| LXXXIV. | HORATIUS | |
| The Trysting | [179] | |
| The Trouble in Rome | [183] | |
| The Keeping of the Bridge | [189] | |
| Father Tiber | [196] | |
| LXXXV. | THE ARMADA | [200] |
| LXXXVI. | THE LAST BUCCANEER | [205] |
| LXXXVII. | A JACOBITE'S EPITAPH | [206] |
| ROBERT STEPHEN HAWKER (1803–1875). | ||
| LXXXVIII. | THE SONG OF THE WESTERN MEN | [207] |
| HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW (1807–1882). | ||
| LXXXIX. | THE BUILDING OF THE SHIP | |
| The Model | [208] | |
| The Builders | [210] | |
| In the Ship-Yard | [214] | |
| The Two Bridals | [217] | |
| XC. | THE DISCOVERER OF THE NORTH CAPE | [223] |
| XCI. | THE CUMBERLAND | [227] |
| XCII. | A DUTCH PICTURE | [228] |
| JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER (b. 1807). | ||
| XCIII. | BARBARA FRIETCHIE | [230] |
| ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON (b. 1809). | ||
| XCIV. | A BALLAD OF THE FLEET | [232] |
| XCV. | THE HEAVY BRIGADE | [239] |
| SIR FRANCIS HASTINGS DOYLE (1810–1888). | ||
| XCVI. | THE PRIVATE OF THE BUFFS | [242] |
| XCVII. | THE RED THREAD OF HONOUR | [244] |
| ROBERT BROWNING (1812–1890). | ||
| XCVIII. | HOME THOUGHTS FROM THE SEA | [248] |
| XCIX. | HERVÉ RIEL | [248] |
| WALT WHITMAN (b. 1819). | ||
| C. | THE DYING FIREMAN | [254] |
| CI. | A SEA-FIGHT | [255] |
| CII. | BEAT! BEAT! DRUMS! | [257] |
| CIII. | TWO VETERANS | [258] |
| CHARLES KINGSLEY (1819–1875). | ||
| CIV. | THE PLEASANT ISLE OF AVÈS | [260] |
| CV. | A WELCOME | [262] |
| SIR HENRY YULE (1820–1889). | ||
| CVI. | THE BIRKENHEAD | [264] |
| MATTHEW ARNOLD (1822–1888). | ||
| CVII. | APOLLO | [265] |
| CVIII. | THE DEATH OF SOHRAB | |
| The Duel | [267] | |
| Sohrab | [269] | |
| The Recognition | [272] | |
| Ruksh the Horse | [275] | |
| Rustum | [277] | |
| Night | [280] | |
| CIX. | FLEE FRO' THE PRESS | [282] |
| WILLIAM CORY (b. 1823). | ||
| CX. | SCHOOL FENCIBLES | [284] |
| CXI. | THE TWO CAPTAINS | [285] |
| GEORGE MEREDITH (b. 1828). | ||
| CXII. | THE HEAD OF BRAN | [290] |
| WILLIAM MORRIS (b. 1834). | ||
| CXIII. | THE SLAYING OF THE NIBLUNGS | |
| Hogni | [293] | |
| Gunnar | [297] | |
| Gudrun | [301] | |
| The Sons of Giuki | [304] | |
| ALFRED AUSTIN (b. 1835). | ||
| CXIV. | IS LIFE WORTH LIVING? | [308] |
| SIR ALFRED LYALL (b. 1835). | ||
| CXV. | THEOLOGY IN EXTREMIS | [311] |
| ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE (b. 1837). | ||
| CXVI. | THE OBLATION | [316] |
| CXVII. | ENGLAND | [317] |
| CXVIII. | THE JACOBITE IN EXILE | [319] |
| BRET HARTE (b. 1839). | ||
| CXIX. | THE REVEILLÉ | [322] |
| CXX. | WHAT THE BULLET SANG | [323] |
| AUSTIN DOBSON (b. 1840). | ||
| CXXI. | A BALLAD OF THE ARMADA | [324] |
| ANDREW LANG (b. 1844). | ||
| CXXII. | THE WHITE PACHA | [325] |
| ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (b. 1850). | ||
| CXXIII. | MOTHER AND SON | [326] |
| HENRY CHARLES BEECHING (b. 1859). | ||
| CXXIV. | PRAYERS | [328] |
| RUDYARD KIPLING (b. 1865). | ||
| CXXV. | A BALLAD OF EAST AND WEST | [329] |
| CXXVI. | THE FLAG OF ENGLAND | [335] |
| NOTES | [341] | |
| INDEX | [359] | |