The Men Who Loved The Cause That Never Dies

By John Frederick Freeman

Elegy
    O come you down from the far hills     Whereon you fought, triumphed and died,     Men at whose names the quick blood thrills     And the heart's troubled in our side.     Your shadows o'er our fields ere night     Draw from the shadow of old trees;     Ghost-hallowed run the streams, and light     Hangs halo-wise in the great peace.     Warriors of England whom we praise     (Ah, vain all praise!), your spirit is not     Lost in the meanness of these days,     Not wholly is your charge forgot.     And this perplexity of strife     Not all estrangd leaves our heart;     England is ours yet, and her life     Has yet in ours the purest part.     But come you down and stand you yet     A little closer to our side,     Or in the darkness we forget     The cause for which Earth's noblest died.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This evocative poem explores themes of memory, national identity, and the enduring legacy of war. The speaker implores the spirits of fallen warriors to draw close, suggesting a longing for the strength and valor of the past. This desire is juxtaposed with a critique of the present, described as marked by "meanness" and "perplexity of strife", perhaps alluding to the societal or political turmoil of the poet's time.

The poem employs a solemn, reverent tone, creating a sense of gravity and respect for these spectral heroes. The structure of the poem, with its regular rhyme scheme and rhythm, lends it a song-like quality, further amplifying its emotional resonance. The use of natural imagery, such as "shadows o'er our fields" and "light hangs halo-wise", imbues the poem with a sense of timelessness and the continuity of nature despite human conflict.

Notably, the poem utilizes metaphor and personification, portraying England as a living entity intertwined with the lives of its people. This creates a powerful sense of national identity and collective memory. The final lines capture the poem's central tension between remembering and forgetting, suggesting that without the presence of these heroic figures, the noble cause for which they fought risks being forgotten in the darkness of contemporary struggles.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.