SIXTEEN DEAD MEN.

New Zealand Tablet, 18 September 1919, Page 13

SIXTEEN DEAD MEN.

[Lines written by the late author, when the Irish patriots of Easter Week were executed. Hark! in the still night. Who goes there? “Fifteen dead men.” Why do they wait? “Hasten, comrade, death is so fair.” Now comes their Captain through the dim gate. , Sixteen dead men! What on their sword? “A nation’s honor proud do they bear.” What on their.bent head? “God’s holy word All of ,their nation’s heart blended in prayer.” Sixteen dead men! What makes their shroud? “All of their nation’s love wraps them around.” Where do their bodies lie, bravo and so proud? v ; “Under the gallows-tree in prison ground.” -i.*Sixteen dead men! Where do they go? “To join their regiment, where Sarsfield ; leads ; Wolfe Tone and Emmet, too, 4 \vell. do they - know, There shall they bivouac, telling great deeds.” * . .. . v , ; Sixteen dead" men! Shall they: return ? r . '■"T, “Yea, they shall come again, * brearth of our breath. They on our nation’s hearth made old fires burn. Guard her unconquered soul, strong in their death.” ' "«*- * —Dora Sigerson:- Shorter.