Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BAND IN THE PINES by JOHN ESTEN COOKE

First Line: OH, BAND IN THE PINE-WOOD, CEASE!
Last Line: AND THE VOICES OF OLD YEARS.

(AFTER PELHAM DIED)

OH, band in the pine-wood, cease!
Cease with your splendid call;
The living are brave and noble,
But the dead are bravest of all!

They throng to the martial summons,
To the loud triumphant strain,
And the dear bright eyes of long-dead friends
Come to the heart again!

They come with the ringing bugle,
And the deep drums' mellow roar;
Till the soul is faint with longing
For the hands we clasp no more!

Oh, band in the pine-wood, cease!
Or the heart will melt with tears,
For the gallant eyes and the smiling lips,
And the voices of old years.



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