Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CONDUCTOR BRADLEY, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Conductor bradley, (always may his name Last Line: God give us grace to live as bradley died! Subject(s): Disasters; Railroad Wrecks; Train Wrecks | ||||||||
CONDUCTOR BRADLEY, (always may his name Be said with reverence!) as the swift doom came, Smitten to death, a crushed and mangled frame, Sank, with the brake he grasped just where he stood To do the utmost that a brave man could, And die, if needful, as a true man should. Men stooped above him; women dropped their tears On that poor wreck beyond all hopes or fears, Lost in the strength and glory of his years. What heard they? Lo! the ghastly lips of pain, Dead to all thought save duty's, moved again: "Put out the signals for the other train!" No nobler utterance since the world began From lips of saint or martyr ever ran, Electric, through the sympathies of man. Ah me! how poor and noteless seem to this The sick-bed dramas of self-consciousness, Our sensual fears of pain and hopes of bliss! Oh, grand, supreme endeavor! Not in vain That last brave act of failing tongue and brain! Freighted with life the downward rushing train, Following the wrecked one, as wave follows wave, Obeyed the warning which the dead lips gave. Others he saved, himself he could not save. Nay, the lost life was saved. He is not dead Who in his record still the earth shall tread With God's clear aureole shining round his head. We bow as in the dust, with all our pride Of virtue dwarfed the noble deed beside. God give us grace to live as Bradley died! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WRECK OF THE GREAT NORTHERN by ROBERT HEDIN THE TAY BRIDGE DISEASTER by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL TRAINWRECKED SOLDIERS by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS A WRECKED LOCOMOTIVE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE THE ENGINEER'S SIGNAL by FRANCIS BRET HARTE ON THE LATE SHIFT by PATRICK MACGILL WITH THE BREAKDOWN SQUAD by PATRICK MACGILL SAVING A TRAIN by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL THE ASHTABULA DISASTER by JULIA A. MOORE AMY WENTWORTH; FOR WILLIAM BRADFORD by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |
|