Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HOME-VOYAGE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Bear with us, o great captain, if Last Line: Dip colors as you move to anchorage. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Death; Home; Peace; Sailing & Sailors; Stars; Dead, The | ||||||||
GENERAL HENRY W. LAWTON -- FELL AT SAN MATEO, DECEMBER 19, 1899. IN STATE, INDIANAPOLIS, FEBRUARY 6, 1900 BEAR with us, O Great Captain, if our pride Show equal measure with our grief's excess In greeting you in this your helplessness To countermand our vanity or hide Your stern displeasure that we thus had tried To praise you, knowing praise was your distress: But this home-coming swells our hearts no less -- Because for love of home you proudly died. Lo! then, the cable, fathoms 'neath the keel That shapes your course, is eloquent of you; The old flag, too, at half-mast overhead -- We doubt not that its gale-kissed ripples feel A prouder sense of red and white and blue, -- The stars -- Ah, God, were they interpreted! In strange lands were your latest honors won -- In strange wilds, with strange dangers all beset; With rain, like tears, the face of day was wet, As rang the ambushed foeman's fateful gun: And as you felt your final duty done, We feel that glory thrills your spirit yet, -- When at the front, in swiftest death, you met The patriot's doom and best reward in one. And so the tumult of that island war, At last, for you, is stilled forevermore -- Its scenes of blood blend white as ocean foam On your rapt vision as you sight afar The sails of peace, and from that alien shore The proud ship bears you on your voyage home. Or rough or smooth the wave, or lowering day Or starlit sky -- you hold, by native right, Your high tranquillity -- the silent might Of the true hero -- so you led the way To victory through stormiest battle-fray, Because your followers, high above the fight, Heard your soul's lightest whisper bid them smite For God and man and space to kneel and pray. And thus you cross the seas unto your own Beloved land, convoyed with honors meet, Saluted as your home's first heritage -- Nor salutation from your State alone, But all the States, gathered in mighty fleet, Dip colors as you move to anchorage. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
|