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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN HOSPITAL: 21. ROMANCE, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Talk of pluck!' pursued the sailor Last Line: "and they meant it too, by thunder!" Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E. Subject(s): American Civil War; Charleston, South Carolina; Hospitals; United States - History | |||
"TALK of pluck!" pursued the Sailor, Set at euchre on his elbow, "I was on the wharf at Charleston, Just ashore from off the runner. "It was gray and dirty weather, And I heard a drum go rolling, Rub-a-dubbing in the distance, Awful dour-like and defiant. "In and out among the cotton, Mud, and chains, and stores, and anchors, Tramped a squad of battered scarecrows -- Poor old Dixie's bottom dollar! "Some had shoes, but all had rifles, Them that was n't bald was beardless, And the drum was rolling 'Dixie,' And they stepped to it like men, sir! "Rags and tatters, belts and bayonets, On they swung, the drum a-rolling, Mum and sour. It looked like fighting, And they meant it too, by thunder!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A VISIT TO GETTYSBURG by LUCILLE CLIFTON AFTER SPOTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE by DAVID FERRY ACROSS THE LONG DARK BORDER by EDWARD HIRSCH WALT WHITMAN IN THE CIVIL WAR HOSPITALS by DAVID IGNATOW THE DAY OF THE DEAD SOLDIERS; MARY 30, 1869 by EMMA LAZARUS MANHATTAN, 1609 by EDWIN MARKHAM THE DECISION (APRIL 14, 1861) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE SPARROW HARK IN THE RAIN (ALEXANDER STEPHENS HEARS NEWS) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS BALLADE OF DEAD ACTORS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY |
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