EIGHT volunteers! on an errand of death! Eight men! Who speaks? Eight men to go where the cannon's hot breath Burns black the cheeks. Eight men to man the old Merrimac's hulk; Eight men to sink the old steamer's black bulk, Blockade the channel where Spanish ships skulk, -- Eight men! Who speaks? "Eight volunteers!" said the Admiral's flags! Eight men! Who speaks? Who will sail under El Morro's black crags? -- Sure death he seeks. Who is there willing to offer his life? Willing to march to this music of strife, -- Cannon for drum and torpedo for fife? Eight men! Who speaks? Eight volunteers! on an errand of death! Eight men! Who speaks? Was there a man who in fear held his breath? With fear-paled cheeks? From ev'ry war-ship ascended a cheer! From ev'ry sailor's lips burst the word "Here!" Four thousand heroes their lives volunteer! Eight men! Who speaks? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON A VOLUME OF SCHOLASTIC PHILOSOPHY by GEORGE SANTAYANA OF MY DEAR SON [GERVASE BEAUMONT] by JOHN BEAUMONT TWO IN THE CAMPAGNA by ROBERT BROWNING A FAREWELL by GEORGE GASCOIGNE THE RIVER-MERCHANT'S WIFE: A LETTER by LI PO THE SUPPLIANTS: PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE. CHORUS by AESCHYLUS APPARITIONS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH EMANCIPATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, APRIL 16, 1862 by JAMES MADISON BELL |