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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AFTER THE BATTLE, by VICTOR MARIE HUGO Poem Explanation Poet's Biography
First Line: My father, that hero with the sad sweet smile
Last Line: "give the poor man a drink,"" my father said."
Subject(s): Courage; Heroism; Valor; Bravery; Heroes; Heroines
First Line: My father, that hero with the sad sweet smile
Last Line: "give the poor man a drink,"" my father said."
Subject(s): Courage; Heroism; Valor; Bravery; Heroes; Heroines
My father, that hero with the sad sweet smile,
With that brave hussar who of all he knew
First chosen was as comrade tried and true,
Traversed as guard a broken field, a while
After the battle. A low moaning sound
Chanced to his ears. A Spaniard there he saw,
Wounded unto the death. That stronger law
Than nations' borders his wine flask unbound;
The hussar stooped to aid the clawing hand.
The wine flask first he seized, then as inspired
With vigor at the touch, released it, scanned
The uniforms—his pistol grasped, and fired!
The horse reared high. His cap shot from his head,
"Give the poor man a drink," my father said.
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THE EROTICS OF HISTORY by EAVAN BOLAND
A SONG FOR HEROES by EDWIN MARKHAM
AFTER THE BROKEN ARM by RON PADGETT
PRELUDE; FOR GEOFFREY GORER by EDITH SITWELL
EXAMINATION OF THE HERO IN A TIME OF WAR by WALLACE STEVENS
A COUP D'ETAT; AN INCIDENT IN THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 4, 1851 by VICTOR MARIE HUGO