COME from my first, ay, come! The battle-dawn is nigh; And the screaming trump and the thundering drum Are calling thee to die! Fight as thy father fought; Fall as thy father fell; Thy task is taught; thy shroud is wrought; So forward and farewell! Toll ye my second, toll! Fling high the flambeau's light, And sing the hymn for a parted soul Beneath the silent night! The wreath upon his head, The cross upon his breast, Let the prayer be said and the tear be shed, So, -- take him to his rest! Call ye my whole,--ay, call The lord of lute and lay; And let him greet the sable pall With a noble song to-day. Go, call him by his name! No fitter hand may crave To light the flame of a soldier's fame On the turf of a soldier's grave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFFIRMATION by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE BISHOP ORDERS HIS TOMB AT SAINT PRAXED'S CHURCH by ROBERT BROWNING THE PATRIOT; AN OLD STORY by ROBERT BROWNING MY MADONNA by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE IAMBICUM TRIMETRUM, FR. LETTER TO HARVEY by EDMUND SPENSER FALSTAFF'S SONG by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN OPEN MY EYES by ALICE E. BAILEY |