ARMS reversed and banners craped -- Muffled drums; Snowy horses sable-draped -- McPherson comes. But, tell us, shall we know him more, Lost-Mountain and lone Kenesaw? Brave the sword upon the pall -- A gleam in gloom; So a bright name lighteth all McPherson's doom. Bear him through the chapel-door -- Let priest in stole Pace before the warrior Who led. Bell -- toll! Lay him down within the nave, The Lesson read -- Man is noble, man is brave, But man's -- a weed. Take him up again and wend Graveward, nor weep: There's a trumpet that shall rend This Soldier's sleep. Pass the ropes the coffin round, And let descend; Prayer and volley -- let it sound McPherson's end. True fame is his, for life is o'er -- Sarpedon of the mighty war. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE WHEEL OF BEING II by HAYDEN CARRUTH FOR WALT WHITMAN by DAVID IGNATOW RETURN (1) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON A NEW HYMN by KATHERINE MANSFIELD DOMESDAY BOOK: AT NICE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |