William Baxter The Death of Siward (Yr)

FROM THE

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S O U T H E R N   L I T E R A R Y   M E S S E N G E R.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM--JNO. R. THOMPSON, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
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 VOL. XVII. RICHMOND, JUNE, 1851. NO. 6. 
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THE DEATH OF SIWARD.
 
      Siward, the conqueror of Macbeth, when he found death approaching ordered himself to be clothed in complete armor, and sitting erect on a couch with a spear in his hand, said, "In this posture, the only one worthy of a warrior, I will meet the tyrant. If I cannot conquer, I can at least face the combat."--Russell's Europe.
 
The hero oft had met the foe,
Upon the bloody field,
Oft on the battle plain, his breast
Had been his country's shield.

His banner waved above the host,
Which smote fierce Macbeth down.
Who slew his kingly guest in sleep,
That he might wear his crown.

He had been first to press his way,
Where darts flew thick and fast,
The first to lead to victory,
When forced to fly, the last.

For oh! he loved the battle's din,
More than the mirthful song,
War's stern delights, more than the joys
Found in the festal throng.

Though age had chilled his fiery blood,
And blanched his raven hair,
Unstrung the vigor of his arm;
The spirit still was there.

That spirit which had never known
Fear, in the battle field,
When death was nigh, was fearless still,
And could not brook to yield.

But rising on his couch of pain,
He bade his page to bear
His corslet, and his gleaming helm,
His pennon and his spear.

"Clothe me," he cried, "in burnished steel,
And gird upon my side
My falchion, which has often turned
The battle's bloody tide.

"Oh place my well tried spear in rest,
And raise my battle cry,
Advance my pennon that I may
Seem in the strife to die.

"Thus, would I meet the tyrant Death,
Not as the timid slave;
But with a calm, unshrinking eye,
As best becomes the brave.

"I must be vanquished in this field,
The last to which I go;
But spear in hand, I would await,
The coming of the foe.

"Thus ever was I wont to stand;
And now, I will not fly
But boldly meet thee, mighty death,
And in my armor die."

The page raised up his dying chief,
Put on his warlike vest,
Flung out his pennon to the breeze,
And laid his spear in rest.

Then flashed the dying chieftain's eye,
And with his failing breath,
He strove to raise his battle shout,
And yielded but to death.
ASIM.

 

[Southern Literary Messenger 17 (June 1851): 431.]

ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC EDITION

      William Baxter's "The Death of Siward" was first published in the Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. 17, No. 6, June 1851, p. 431. This volume, published in Richmond, Virginia, was edited by John R. Thompson.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 3 May 2000.
Updated 28 June 2003.

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