(DESTRUCTION OF THE RAM ALBEMARLE BY THE TORPEDO-LAUNCH, OCTOBER 27, 1'64) PALELY intent, he urged his keel Full on the guns, and touched the spring; Himself involved in the bolt he drove Timed with the armed hull's shot that stove His shallop -- die or do! Into the flood his life he threw, Yet lives -- unscathed -- a breathing thing To marvel at. He has his fame; But that mad dash at death, how name? Had Earth no charm to stay the Boy From the martyr-passion? Could he dare Disdain the Paradise of opening joy Which beckons the fresh heart everywhere? Life has more lures than any girl For youth and strength; puts forth a share Of beauty, hinting of yet rarer store; And ever with unfathomable eyes, Which bafflingly entice, Still strangely does Adonis draw. And life once over, who shall tell the rest? Life is, of all we know, God's best. What imps these eagles then, that they Fling disrespect on life by that proud way In which they soar above our lower clay. Pretence of wonderment and doubt unblest: In Cushing's eager deed was shown A spirit which brave poets own -- That scorn of life which earns life's crown; Earns, but not always wins; but he -- The star ascended in his nativity. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WIND IN A FROLIC by WILLIAM HOWITT BYRON by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER THERMOPYLAE by SIMONIDES OF CEOS SAVONAROLA BROWN, SELECTION by HENRY MAXIMILIAN BEERBOHM THE UNSPOKEN by ANNE MILLAY BREMER |