James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
March 20John Mitchel
By John Boyle OReilly (18441890)
D
Rigid and cold and white,
Marking the place of the vanguard
Still in the ancient fight.
Before the height is won:
The workman dead on the building,
Before the work is done!
The words that should be said—
Of his worth that was silver, living,
That is gold and jasper, dead!
His life to the latest breath,
Was poured like wax on the chart of right,
And is sealed by the stamp of Death!
First in the ranks he led;
And he marks the height of his nation’s gain,
As he lies in his harness—dead!