Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ANDRE'S LAST REQUEST [OR, REQUEST TO WASHINGTON] [OCTOBER 1, 1780], by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ANDRE'S LAST REQUEST [OR, REQUEST TO WASHINGTON] [OCTOBER 1, 1780], by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It is not the fear of death
Last Line: By a soldier's death!
Subject(s): American Revolution; Andre, John (1750-1780); Capital Punishment; History; Military Justice; Presidents, United States; Soldiers; Washington, George (1732-1799); Hanging; Executions; Death Penalty; Historians; Courts Martial


IT is not the fear of death
That damps my brow,
It is not for another breath
I ask thee now;
I can die with a lip unstirr'd
And a quiet heart --
Let but this prayer be heard
Ere I depart.

I can give up my mother's look --
My sister's kiss;
I can think of love -- yet brook
A death like this!
I can give up the young fame
I burn'd to win --
All -- but the spotless name
I glory in.

Thine is the power to give,
Thine to deny,
Joy for the hour I live --
Calmness to die.
By all the brave should cherish,
By my dying breath,
I ask that I may perish
By a soldier's death!





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