Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LAMENTABLE BALLAD OF BLOODY BROOK, by EDWARD EVERETT HALE Poet's Biography First Line: Come listen to the story of brave lathrop Last Line: From that dark and cruel day, -- cruel day! Subject(s): Deerfield, Battle Of (1675); Deerfield, Massachusetts; Lathrop, Thomas; New England; Philip, King (native American Chief); Metacomet; King Philip's War (1675-76) | ||||||||
COME listen to the Story of brave Lathrop and his Men, -- How they fought, how they died, When they marched against the Red Skins in the Autumn Days, and then How they fell, in their pride, By Pocumtuck Side. "Who will go to Deerfield Meadows and bring the ripened Grain?" Said old Mosely to his men in Array. "Take the Wagons and the Horses, and bring it back again; But be sure that no Man stray All the Day, on the Way." Then the Flower of Essex started, with Lathrop at their head, Wise and brave, bold and true. He had fought the Pequots long ago, and now to Mosely said, "Be there Many, be there Few, I will bring the Grain to you." They gathered all the Harvest, and marched back on their Way Through the Woods which blazed like Fire, No Soldier left the Line of march to wander or to stray, Till the Wagons were stalled in the Mire, And the Beasts began to tire. The Wagons have all forded the Brook as it flows, And then the Rear-Guard stays To pick the Purple Grapes that are hanging from the Boughs, When, crack! -- to their Amaze, A hundred Fire-locks blaze! Brave Lathrop, he lay dying; but as he fell he cried, "Each Man to his Tree," said he, "Let no one yield an Inch;" and so the Soldier died; And not a Man of all can see Where the Foe can be. And Philip and his Devils pour in their Shot so fast, From behind and before, That Man after Man is shot down and breathes his last. Every Man lies dead in his Gore To fight no more, -- no more! Oh, weep, ye Maids of Essex, for the Lads who have died, -- The Flower of Essex they! The Bloody Brook still ripples by the black Mountain-side, But never shall they come again to see the ocean-tide, And never shall the Bridegroom return to his Bride, From that dark and cruel Day, -- cruel Day! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ADRIAN BLOCK'S SONG by EDWARD EVERETT HALE ALMA MATER'S ROLL by EDWARD EVERETT HALE ANNE HUTCHINSON'S EXILE (1638) by EDWARD EVERETT HALE FROM POTOMAC TO MERRIMAC by EDWARD EVERETT HALE NEW ENGLAND'S CHEVY CHASE by EDWARD EVERETT HALE PUT IT THROUGH by EDWARD EVERETT HALE THE BALLAD OF BUNKER HILL by EDWARD EVERETT HALE THE MARCHING SONG OF STARK'S MEN [AUGUST 15, 1777] by EDWARD EVERETT HALE THE NAMELESS SAINTS by EDWARD EVERETT HALE DOROTHY DANCES by LOUIS UNTERMEYER ON SIR PALMES FAIRBORNE'S TOMB, IN WESTERMINSTER ABBEY by JOHN DRYDEN |
|