This week I have another beautiful Irish love poem. This poem reflects a sense of liberation and self-realization. It speaks of someone who has come to terms with a failed love affair or unrequited love.
The speaker asserts they will not suffer or die for someone who did not reciprocate their love. Instead, they find solace in the fact that the burden of sin or guilt lies with the other person. The poem expresses a sense of moving on and finding freedom from the pain of unrequited love.
Douglas Hyde, also known as An Craoibhín Aoibhinn, was an Irish writer and politician. He played a significant role in the Irish cultural and literary revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here’s a poem titled “I Shall Not Die For Thee” by Douglas Hyde:
I shall not die for thee
By Douglas Hyde
FOR thee, I shall not die,
Woman of high fame and name;
Foolish men, thou mayest slay
They and I are not the same.
Why should I expire
For the fire of an eye,
Slender waist or swan-like limb,
Is’t for them that I should die?
The round breasts, the fresh skin,
Cheeks crimson, hair so long and rich;
Indeed, indeed, I shall not die,
Please God, not I, for any such.
The golden hair, the forehead thin,
The chaste mien, the gracious ease,
The rounded heel, the languid tone,—
Fools alone find death from these.
Thy sharp wit, thy perfect calm,
Thy thin palm like foam o’ the sea;
Thy white neck, thy blue eye,
I shall not die for thee.
Woman, graceful as the swan,
A wise man did nurture me.
Little palm, white neck, bright eye,
I shall not die for ye.
A compelling Irish love poem. “I Shall Not Die For Thee” is just one of many poems written by Douglas Hyde, but it stands out for its concise and poignant expression of emotions related to unrequited love and personal liberation.
Put simply in “I Shall Not Die For Thee” by Douglas Hyde; the speaker declares that they won’t die for someone who didn’t love them back.
Did you enjoy this Irish poem? Comment below and let me know.