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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AFTER THE BATTLE by VICTOR MARIE HUGO

Poem Explanation

First Line: MY FATHER, THAT HERO WITH THE SAD SWEET SMILE
Last Line: "GIVE THE POOR MAN A DRINK,"" MY FATHER SAID."
Subject(s): COURAGE; HEROISM; VALOR; BRAVERY; HEROES; HEROINES;

My father, that hero with the sad sweet smile,
With that brave hussar who of all he knew
First chosen was as comrade tried and true,
Traversed as guard a broken field, a while
After the battle. A low moaning sound
Chanced to his ears. A Spaniard there he saw,
Wounded unto the death. That stronger law
Than nations' borders his wine flask unbound;
The hussar stooped to aid the clawing hand.
The wine flask first he seized, then as inspired
With vigor at the touch, released it, scanned
The uniforms—his pistol grasped, and fired!
The horse reared high. His cap shot from his head,
"Give the poor man a drink," my father said.



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