Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALL'S BLUFF; A REVERIE, by HERMAN MELVILLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALL'S BLUFF; A REVERIE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: One noonday, at my window in the town
Last Line: Far footfalls died away till none were left.
Subject(s): American Civil War; Americans; Ball's Bluff, Battle Of; United States - History; United States; War; America


One noonday, at my window in the town,
I saw a sight -- saddest that eyes can see --
Young soldiers marching lustily
Unto the wars,
With fifes, and flags in mottoed pageantry;
While all the porches, walks, and doors
Were rich with ladies cheering royally.

They moved like Juny morning on the wave,
Their hearts were fresh as clover in its prime
(It was the breezy summer time),
Life throbbed so strong,
How should they dream that Death in a rosy clime
Would come to thin their shining throng?
Youth feels immortal, like the gods sublime.

Weeks passed; and at my window, leaving bed,
By night I mused, of easeful sleep bereft,
On those brave boys (Ah War! thy theft);
Some marching feet
Found pause at last by cliffs Potomac cleft;
Wakeful I mused, while in the street
Far footfalls died away till none were left.





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