Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO SAMUEL E. SEWALL AND HARRIET W. SEWALL OF MELROSE, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO SAMUEL E. SEWALL AND HARRIET W. SEWALL OF MELROSE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Olor iscanus queries: 'why should we'
Last Line: The eyes that smile no more, the unreturning feet!
Subject(s): American Civil War; U.s. - History


OLOR ISCANUS queries: "Why should we
Vex at the land's ridiculous miserie?"
So on his Usk banks, in the blood-red dawn
Of England's civil strife, did careless Vaughan
Bemock his times. O friends of many years!
Though faith and trust are stronger than our fears,
And the signs promise peace with liberty,
Not thus we trifle with our country's tears
And sweat of agony. The future's gain
Is certain as God's truth; but, mean-while, pain
Is bitter and tears are salt: our voices take
A sober tone; our very household songs
Are heavy with a nation's griefs and wrongs;
And innocent mirth is chastened for the sake
Of the brave hearts that nevermore shall beat,
The eyes that smile no more, the unreturning feet!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net