Under Ben Bulben (II and III) 

By William Butler Yeats

II

Many times man lives and dies   

Between his two eternities,   

That of race and that of soul,   

And ancient Ireland knew it all.   

Whether man dies in his bed   

Or the rifle knocks him dead,

A brief parting from those dear   

Is the worst man has to fear.   

Though grave-diggers' toil is long,   

Sharp their spades, their muscle strong,   

They but thrust their buried men   

Back in the human mind again.

III

You that Mitchel's prayer have heard   

`Send war in our time, O Lord!'   

Know that when all words are said   

And a man is fighting mad,   

Something drops from eyes long blind   

He completes his partial mind,   

For an instant stands at ease,   

Laughs aloud, his heart at peace,   

Even the wisest man grows tense   

With some sort of violence   

Before he can accomplish fate   

Know his work or choose his mate.