Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, REQUIEM FOR ONE SLAIN IN BATTLE, by GEORGE LUNT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REQUIEM FOR ONE SLAIN IN BATTLE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Breathe, trumpets, breathe
Last Line: His life he gave!
Subject(s): Patriotism; War


BREATHE, trumpets, breathe
Slow notes of saddest wailing, --
Sadly responsive peal, ye muffled drums;
Comrades, with downcast eyes
And banners trailing,
Attend him home, --
The youthful warrior comes.

Upon his shield,
Upon his shield returning,
Borne from the field of honor
Where he fell;
Glory and grief, together clasped
In mourning,
His fame, his fate
With sobs exulting tell.

Wrap round his breast
The flag his breast defended, --
His country's flag,
In battle's front unrolled:
For it he died;
On earth forever ended
His brave young life
Lives in each sacred fold.
With proud fond tears,
By tinge of shame untainted,
Bear him, and lay him
Gently in his grave:
Above the hero write, --
The young, half-sainted,- -
His country asked his life,
His life he gave!




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