Thomas Moore (1779–1852)

NIGHT closed around the conqueror’s way,

And lightnings showed the distant hill,

Where those who lost that dreadful day

Stood few and faint, but fearless still.

The soldier’s hope, the patriot’s zeal,

For ever dimm’d, for ever crost—

Oh! who shall say what heroes feel,

When all but life and honour’s lost?

The last sad hour of freedom’s dream,

And valour’s task moved slowly by,

While mute they watched till morning’s beam

Should rise and give them light to die.

There’s yet a world where souls are free,

Where tyrants taint not Nature’s bliss:—

If death that world’s bright opening be,

Oh! who would live a slave in this?