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