Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DEATH OF WOLFE, by ANONYMOUS First Line: "thy merits, wolfe, transcend all human praise" Last Line: For those prepared who merit just applause / by bravely dying in their country's cause Subject(s): "quebec, Battle Of (1759);wolfe, James (1727-1759); | ||||||||
THY merits, Wolfe, transcend all human praise, The breathing marble or the muses' lays. Art is but vain -- the force of language weak, To paint thy virtues, or thy actions speak. Had I Duche's or Godfrey's magic skill, Each line to raise, and animate at will -- To rouse each passion dormant in the soul, Point out its object, or its rage control -- Then, Wolfe, some faint resemblance should we find Of those great virtues that adorned thy mind. Like Britain's genius shouldst thou then appear, Hurling destruction on the Gallic rear -- While France, astonished, trembled at thy sight, And placed her safety in ignoble flight. Thy last great scene should melt each Briton's heart, And rage and grief alternately impart. With foes surrounded, midst the shades of death, These were the words that closed the warrior's breath -- "My eyesight fails! -- but does the foe retreat? If they retire, I'm happy in my fate!" A generous chief, to whom the hero spoke, Cried, "Sir, they fly! -- their ranks entirely broke: Whilst thy bold troops o'er slaughtered heaps advance, And deal due vengeance on the sons of France." The pleasing truth recalls his parting soul, And from his lips these dying accents stole: -- "I'm satisfied!" he said, then wing'd his way, Guarded by angels to celestial day. An awful band! -- Britannia's mighty dead, Receives to glory his immortal shade. Marlborough and Talbot hail the warlike chief -- Halket and Howe, late objects of our grief, With joyful song conduct their welcome guest To the bright mansions of eternal rest -- For those prepared who merit just applause By bravely dying in their country's cause. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SITTING BULL IN SERBIA by WILLIAM JAY SMITH TO THE EXCELLENT ORINDA by PHILO PHILIPPA EPIGRAM OCCASIONED BY CIBBER'S VERSES IN PRAISE OF NASH: 1 by ALEXANDER POPE THE GIFT OF THE GODS by JOHN GODFREY SAXE TO CHRISTOPHER NORTH by ALFRED TENNYSON BEAU NASH by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER BEAU NASH AND THE ROMAN, OR THE TWO ERAS by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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