BREATHE, trumpets, breathe Slow notes of saddest wailing, -- Sadly responsive peal, ye muffled drums; Comrades, with downcast eyes And banners trailing, Attend him home, -- The youthful warrior comes. Upon his shield, Upon his shield returning, Borne from the field of honor Where he fell; Glory and grief, together clasped In mourning, His fame, his fate With sobs exulting tell. Wrap round his breast The flag his breast defended, -- His country's flag, In battle's front unrolled: For it he died; On earth forever ended His brave young life Lives in each sacred fold. With proud fond tears, By tinge of shame untainted, Bear him, and lay him Gently in his grave: Above the hero write, -- The young, half-sainted,- - His country asked his life, His life he gave! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPITAPH: IN OBITUM M.S. XO MAIJ, 1614 by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) SUDDEN LIGHT by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI EPIPSYCHIDION by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THE RUINS OF CORINTH by ANTIPATER OF SIDON SUMMING UP ITALY; INSCRIBED TO INTELLIGENT PUBLICS OUT OF IT by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING ARISTOPHANES' APOLOGY; BEING THE LAST ADVENTURE OF BALAUSTION: PART 2 by ROBERT BROWNING |