Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PRESENTATION TO AUTHORITIES BY PRIVATES, OF COLORS CAPTURED, by HERMAN MELVILLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PRESENTATION TO AUTHORITIES BY PRIVATES, OF COLORS CAPTURED, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: These flags of armies overthrown
Last Line: To waiting homes with vindicated laws.
Subject(s): American Civil War; Flags - Confederate States Of America; U.s. - History


These flags of armies overthrown --
Flags fallen beneath the sovereign one
In end foredoomed which closes war;
We here, the captors, lay before
The altar which of right claims all --
Our Country. And as freely we,
Revering ever her sacred call,
Could lay our lives down -- though life be
Thrice loved and precious to the sense
Of such as reap the recompense
Of life imperiled for just cause --
Imperiled, and yet preserved;
While comrades, whom Duty as strongly nerved,
Whose wives were all as dear, lie low.
But these flags given, glad we go
To waiting homes with vindicated laws.





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