YE elms that wave on Malvern Hill In prime of morn and May, Recall ye how McClellan's men Here stood at bay? While deep within you forest dim Our rigid comrades lay -- Some with the cartridge in their mouth, Others with fixed arms lifted South -- Invoking so The cypress glades? Ah wilds of woe! The spires of Richmond, late beheld Through rifts in musket-haze, Were closed from view in clouds of dust On leaf-walled ways, Where streamed our wagons in caravan; And the Seven Nights and Days Of march and fast, retreat and fight, Pinched our grimed faces to ghastly plight -- Does the elm wood Recall the haggard beards of blood? The battle-smoked flag, with stars eclipsed, We followed (it never fell!) -- In silence husbanded our strength -- Received their yell; Till on this slope we patient turned With cannon ordered well; Reverse we proved was not defeat; But ah, the sod what thousands meet! -- Does Malvern Wood Bethink itself, and muse and brood? We elms of Malvern Hill Remember everything; But sap the twig will fill: Wag the world how it will, Leaves must be green in Spring. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OBERON'S FEAST by ROBERT HERRICK TO THE WATER NYMPHS DRINKING AT THE FOUNTAIN by ROBERT HERRICK THE LAMENTATION OF THE OLD PENSIONER (1) by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE CONCLUSION OF A LETTER TO THE REV. MR. C --. by MARY BARBER ENGLISH COUNTRY (WHERE THREE SHIRES MEET) by WILLIAM BLISS |