History & Politics

The Dead Heroes

by Isaac Rosenberg 1890–1918

From Youth (1915)

History & PoliticsDeath & Dying

Flame out, you glorious skies,
Welcome our brave;
Kiss their exultant eyes;
Give what they gave.

Flash, mailed seraphim,
Your burning spears;
New days to outflame their dim
Heroic years.

Thrills their baptismal tread
The bright proud air;
The embattled plumes outspread
Burn upwards there.

Flame out, flame out, O Song!
Star ring to star;
Strong as our hurt is strong
Our children are.

Their blood is England’s heart;
By their dead hands
It is their noble part
That England stands.

England—Time gave them thee;
They gave back this
To win Eternity
And claim God’s kiss.

✦ ✦ ✦

An early, patriotic poem: 'Flame out, you glorious skies, / Welcome our brave', ending that the dead have won Eternity and 'claim God's kiss'.

MLA

Rosenberg, Isaac. “The Dead Heroes.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rosenberg/18/.

Chicago

Rosenberg, Isaac. “The Dead Heroes.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rosenberg/18/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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