Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MARSHAL SCHWERIN'S GRAVE, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS



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MARSHAL SCHWERIN'S GRAVE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou didst fall in the field with thy silver hair
Last Line: To win thee but this at last?
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Graves; Prague, Czech Republic; Tombs; Tombstones


THOU didst fall in the field with thy silver hair,
And a banner in thy hand;
Thou wert laid to rest from thy battles there
By a proudly mournful band.

In the camp, on the steed, to the bugle's blast,
Thy long bright years had sped;
And a warrior's bier was thine at last,
When the snows had crowned thy head.

Many had fallen by thy side, old chief!
Brothers and friends, perchance;
But thou wert yet as the fadeless leaf,
And light was in thy glance.

The soldier's heart at thy step leaped high,
And thy voice the war-horse knew;
And the first to arm, when the foe was nigh,
Wert thou, the bold and true.

Now mayest thou slumber, -- thy work is done, --
Thou of the well-worn sword!
From the stormy fight in thy fame thou 'rt gone,
But not to the festal board.

The corn-sheaves whisper thy grave around,
Where fiery blood hath flowed;
O, lover of battle and trumpet-sound!
Thou art couched in a still abode!

A quiet home from the noonday's glare,
And the breath of the wintry blast, --
Didst thou toil through the days of thy silvery hair
To win thee but this at last?





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