Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OLD TRINITY, by ARTHUR GUITERMAN Poet's Biography First Line: This was a merchant, and that was a belle Last Line: Sorrow and ecstasy, hatred and love. Subject(s): Death; Hearts; New York City - Revolutionary Period; Passion; Sailing & Sailors; Dead, The; Seamen; Sails | ||||||||
This was a merchant, and that was a belle, There lies a statesman -- you know how he fell. Under that monument fronting the street Rests the young sailor, who, spurning defeat, In a lost battle, and with his last prayer Gave us a watchword to challenge Despair. Tory and Patriot camp side by side; Truce of the turf to their rancor and pride! Look toward the river. The stone at your feet Shelters a blade of his Majesty's fleet, Gallant and gay, when the red-coated leaven Troubled our city, in 'seventy-seven. What of his ending? -- (the daisies may know More that is silence) -- a word and a blow! Then, a locked room in the tavern, the gloom Flickered with candles; the whisper of doom; Bicker and ring of encountering steel, Panting of bosoms, the stamp of the heel, Feint, circle, parry, lunge, counter, and carte! -- Dead! like a man, with a thrust through the heart! What was the cause? Ah, you question in vain! Dorothy, Annabel, Phyllis, or Jane, Queen of assemblies and toast of the bold, Somewhere she slumbers in Trinity's mold. Search in your heart if you seek to descry That which is hidden! -- the passions that lie Buried in Earth with her grasses above -- Sorrow and Ecstasy, Hatred and Love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SAILS OF MURMUR by ANSELM HOLLO THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE TOM BOWLING ['S EPITAPH] by CHARLES DIBDIN HOW'S MY BOY? by SYDNEY THOMPSON DOBELL LOVE AT SEA by THEOPHILE GAUTIER |
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