Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1823.pdf/13

12 Literary Gazette, 8th February 1823, Page 91

ORIGINAL POETRY. MEDALLION WAFERS. HEAD OF TYRTÆUS. Glorious Bard! whose lyre was heard Amid the armed ring, As victory were upon each word And death on every string— Glorious Bard! to whom belong Wreaths not often claimed by song, Those hung round the warrior's shield— Laurels from the blood-red field. The soldier cowered beneath his tent, His sword all rust, his bow unbent; His comrades, who had dared to die, Unburied on the plain, And, jeered by mocking foemen nigh, He dared not taunt again. The Bard took up his burning song; Each heart beat high, each arm grew strong: He told them of the curse and shame That darken round the coward's name; Told how the mother's cheek would burn To hear her son had fled, How the young maiden's smile would turn To tears, should it be said,— “The war strength of thy lover's brand Is weaker than thine own fair hand;" And proudly rung his harp while telling The fallen warrior's fame, When trumpet, shout, and song are swelling All glorious with his name. It was enough,—each sword was out, The mountains trembled in the shout Of men prepared like men to die For Sparta and for victory!