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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ROBERT GOULD SHAW, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Poet's Biography First Line: Why was it that the thunder voice of fate Last Line: Have died, the present teaches, but in vain! Subject(s): African Americans - Military; Shaw, Robert Gould (1847-1863); Soldiers | |||
WHY was it that the thunder voice of Fate Should call thee, studious, from the classic groves, Where calm-eyed Pallas with still footstep roves, And charge thee seek the turmoil of the state? What bade thee hear the voice and rise elate, Leave home and kindred and thy spicy loaves, To lead th' unlettered and despised droves To manhood's home and thunder at the gate? Far better the slow blaze of Learning's light, The cool and quiet of her dearer fane, Than this hot terror of a hopeless fight, This cold endurance of the final pain, -- Since thou and those who with thee died for right Have died, the Present teaches, but in vain! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALL ARMIES ARE THE SAME by ERNEST HEMINGWAY ABSENT WITH OFFICIAL LEAVE by RANDALL JARRELL PORT OF EMBARKATION by RANDALL JARRELL THE CONFESSION OF ST. JIM-RALPH by DENIS JOHNSON OPERATION MEMORY by DAVID LEHMAN A BANJO SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |
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