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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DEATH OF GRANT, by AMBROSE BIERCE Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Father! Whose hard and cruel law / is part of thy compassion's plan Last Line: Thy servant's soul in paradise. Subject(s): American Civil War; Grant, Ulysses Simpson (1822-1885); Holidays; Memorial Day; United States - History; Declaration Day | |||
FATHER! whose hard and cruel law Is part of thy compassion's plan, Thy works presumptuously we scan For what the prophets say they saw. Unbidden still, the awful slope Walling us in, we climb to gain Assurance of the shining plain That faith has certified to hope. In vain: beyond the circling hill The shadow and the cloud abide; Subdue the doubt, our spirits guide To trust the Record and be still; To trust it loyally as he Who, heedful of his high design, Ne'er raised a seeking eye to thine, But wrought thy will unconsciously, Disputing not of chance or fate, Nor questioning of cause or creed: For anything but duty's deed Too simply wise, too humbly great. The cannon syllabled his name; His shadow shifted o'er the land, Portentous, as at his command Successive cities sprang to flame! He fringed the continent with fire, The rivers ran in lines of light! Thy will be done on earth -- if right Or wrong he cared not to inquire. His was the heavy hand, and his The service of the despot blade; His the soft answer that allayed War's giant animosities. Let us have peace: our clouded eyes Fill, Father, with another light, That we may see with clearer sight Thy servant's soul in Paradise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEMORIAL DAY by JOSEPHINE MILES MEMORIAL DAY FOR THE WAR DEAD by YEHUDA AMICHAI MEMORIAL DAY by MICHAEL ANANIA AN ODE ON THE UNVEILING OF THE SHAW MEMORIA BOSTON COMMON, MAY 31, 1897 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH FREDERICKSBURG by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH MEMORIAL DAY by WILLIAM E. BROOKS VANQUISHED; ON THE DEATH OF GENERAL GRANT by FRANCIS FISHER BROWNE |
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