Ontario Readers Third Book, The

<h2><SPAN name="Minstrel-Boy" id="Minstrel-Boy"></SPAN>THE MINSTREL-BOY</h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span>The Minstrel-boy to the war is gone,<br/></span> <span class="i1">In the ranks of death you'll find him;<br/></span> <span>His father's sword he has girded on,<br/></span> <span class="i1">And his wild harp slung behind him.<br/></span> <span>"Land of song!" said the warrior-bard,<br/></span> <span class="i1">"Tho' all the world betrays thee,<br/></span> <span><em>One</em> sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,<br/></span> <span class="i1"><em>One</em> faithful harp shall praise thee!"<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span>The Minstrel fell! but the foeman's chain<br/></span> <span class="i1">Could not bring his proud soul under;<br/></span> <span>The harp he loved ne'er spoke again,<br/></span> <span class="i1">For he tore its chords asunder;<br/></span> <span>And said: "No chains shall sully thee,<br/></span> <span class="i1">Thou soul of love and bravery!<br/></span> <span>Thy songs were made for the pure and free,<br/></span> <span class="i1">They shall never sound in slavery."<br/></span></div> </div> <p class="citation"><span class="smcap">Moore</span></p> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span>Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide,<br/></span> <span>In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side;<br/></span> <span>Then it is the brave man chooses, while the coward stands aside.<br/></span></div> </div> <p class="citation"><span class="smcap">Lowell</span></p> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />