Wild Swans — An Irish Airman Foresees His Death
| I know that I shall meet my fate |
| Somewhere among the clouds above; |
| Those that I fight I do not hate, |
| Those that I guard I do not love; |
| My country is Kiltartan Cross, |
| My countrymen Kiltartan’s poor, |
| No likely
end could bring them loss |
| Or leave them happier than before. |
| Nor law, nor duty bade me fight, |
| Nor
public men, nor cheering crowds, |
| A lonely impulse of delight |
| Drove to this tumult in the clouds; |
| I balanced
all, brought all to mind, |
| The years to come seemed waste of breath, |
| A waste of breath the years behind |
| In balance with this life, this death. |