Breathes There The Man... From The Lay Of The Last Minstrel Poem by Sir Walter Scott

Breathes There The Man... From The Lay Of The Last Minstrel

Rating: 2.8


Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
'This is my own, my native land!'
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned,
As home his footsteps he hath turned,
From wandering on a foreign strand!
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no Minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Rose Karkoski 21 February 2019

This poem epitomizes the heart of patriotism. Back in the '40's - -the time when I was in school- - we memorized this and it has stayed with me over the years. Our lives were enriched by these words- - -and pride in our country was at its zenith. It is as meaningful today as it was then. Maybe even more so.

1 1 Reply
Samuel 07 February 2018

A portion of this poem is quoted in the film Groundhog Day

2 0 Reply
Abdiel 26 March 2019

That scene introduced me to the poem. I'm so thankful they included it.

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Sir Walter Scott

Sir Walter Scott

Edinburgh / Scotland
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