HAVE YE COUNTED THE COST?
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HAVE YE COUNTED THE COST?
I.
ILL our Leaders faint and falter At the foes they have to bind—The Ignorance and Prejudice, Bigot heart and shallow mind?Do they tremble at the ordeal That is looming from afar—The battle, and the hero-death, And vict'ry's fiery car?
ILL our Leaders faint and falter At the foes they have to bind—The Ignorance and Prejudice, Bigot heart and shallow mind?Do they tremble at the ordeal That is looming from afar—The battle, and the hero-death, And vict'ry's fiery car?II.Ah! the brave ones! Lion-hearted! They whose prophet-accents rung,As if pentecostal fires Had been kindled on their tongue;Some with words of soft persuasion, Melting hearts of stern and strong,Like the minor chord that waketh All our tears in Irish song.
III.Some with glance, like eagles, fearless, And great thoughts that kindle deeds,Bowing souls of men before them As the storm-wind sweeps the reeds.Will they sink down, pale and weary? Vain is preaching to the wind,Burning words and supplications— Slavish souls are deaf and blind.
IV.Never! Like the protomartyr, Ages since on Judah's plains,While around him, furious raging, Stood the fierce, unbranded Cains;So, sublime in holy daring, Stand our Leaders calmly there,Though such grief their spirit's clouding As might quickly fade young hair.
