Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AFTER THE BATTLES ARE OVER, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AFTER THE BATTLES ARE OVER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
Last Line: Along with the word retreat
Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs.
Subject(s): Veterans


AFTER the battles are over,
And the war drums cease to beat,
And no more is heard on the hillside
The sound of hurrying feet;
Full many a noble action,
That was done in the days of strife,
By the soldier is half forgotten,
In the peaceful walks of life.
Just as the tangled grasses,
In Summer's warmth and light,
Grow over the graves of the fallen
And hide them away from sight,
So many an act of valour,
And many a deed sublime,
Fade from the mind of the soldier,
O'ergrowri by the grass of time.
Not so should they be rewarded,
Those noble deeds of old;
They should live for ever and ever,
When the heroes 1 hearts are cold.
Then rally, ye brave old comrades,
Old veterans, reunite !
Uproot Time's tangled grasses
Live over the march, and the fight.
Let Grant come up from the White House,
And clasp each brother's hand,
First chieftain of the army,
Last chieftain of the land.
Let him rest from a nation's burdens,
And go, in thought, with his men,
Through the fire and smoke of Shiloh,
And save the day again.
This silent hero of battles
Knew no such word as defeat.
It was left for the rebel's learning,
Along with the word retreat.





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