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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A DIRGE FOR MCPHERSON; KILLED IN FRONT OF ATLANTA, by HERMAN MELVILLE Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Arms reversed and banners craped Last Line: Sarpedon of the mighty war. Subject(s): American Civil War; Atlanta Campaign (1864); Funerals; Mcpherson, James Birdseye (1828-1864); United States - History; Burials | |||
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...THE FUNERAL SERMON by ANDREW HUDGINS RETURN FROM DELHI by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE SCATTERING OF EVAN JONES'S ASHES by GALWAY KINNELL BROWNING'S FUNERAL by H. T. MACKENZIE BELL FALLING ASLEEP OVER THE AENEID by ROBERT LOWELL MY FATHER'S BODY by WILLIAM MATTHEWS FORMERLY A SLAVE' (AN IDEALIZED PORTRAIT, BY E. VEDDER) by HERMAN MELVILLE THE COMING STORM' (A PICTURE BY R. S. GIFFORD) by HERMAN MELVILLE A REQUIEM FOR SOLDIERS LOST IN OCEAN TRANSPORTS by HERMAN MELVILLE |
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