Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE SLAIN AT CHICKAMAUGA, by HERMAN MELVILLE



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE SLAIN AT CHICKAMAUGA, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Happy are they and charmed in life
Last Line: Make this memorial due.
Subject(s): American Civil War; Chickamauga, Battle Of (1863); Holidays; Memorial Day; United States - History; Declaration Day


HAPPY are they and charmed in life
Who through long wars arrive unscarred
At peace. To such the wreath be given,
If they unfalteringly have striven --
In honor, as in limb, unmarred.
Let cheerful praise be rife,
And let them live their years at ease,
Musing on brothers who victorious died --
Loved mates whose memory shall ever please.

And yet mischance is honorable too --
Seeming defeat in conflict justified,
Whose end to closing eyes is hid from view.
The will, that never can relent --
The aim, survivor of the bafflement,
Make this memorial due.





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