Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A BALLAD OF HEROES, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Because you passed, and now are not Last Line: The deeds you wrought are not in vain. Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin Subject(s): Heroism; Holidays; Memorial Day; Heroes; Heroines; Declaration Day | ||||||||
'Now all your victories are in vain.' -- MARY F. ROBINSON. BECAUSE you passed, and now are not, -- Because, in some remoter day, Your sacred dust from doubtful spot Was blown of ancient airs away, -- Because you perished, -- must men say Your deeds were naught, and so profane Your lives with that cold burden? Nay The deeds you wrought are not in vain! Though, it may be, above the plot That hid your once imperial clay, No greener than o'er men forgot The unregarding grasses sway; -- Though there no sweeter is the lay From careless bird, -- though you remain Without distinction of decay, -- The deeds you wrought are not in vain! No. For while yet in tower or cot Your story stirs the pulses' play; And men forget the sordid lot -- The sordid care, of cities gray; -- While yet, beset in homelier fray, They learn from you the lesson plain That Life may go, so Honour stay, -- The deeds you wrought are not in vain! ENVOY. HEROES of old! I humbly lay The laurel on your graves again; Whatever men have done, men may, -- The deeds you wrought are not in vain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEMORIAL DAY by JOSEPHINE MILES MEMORIAL DAY FOR THE WAR DEAD by YEHUDA AMICHAI MEMORIAL DAY by MICHAEL ANANIA AN ODE ON THE UNVEILING OF THE SHAW MEMORIA BOSTON COMMON, MAY 31, 1897 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH FREDERICKSBURG by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE DEATH OF GRANT by AMBROSE BIERCE MEMORIAL DAY by WILLIAM E. BROOKS VANQUISHED; ON THE DEATH OF GENERAL GRANT by FRANCIS FISHER BROWNE A FANCY FROM FONTENELLE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON |
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