Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MEN OF THE MERRIMAC, by CLINTON SCOLLARD Poet's Biography First Line: Hail to hobson! Hail to hobson! Hail to all the valiant set Last Line: Shame upon us, shame upon us, should the nation e'er forget! Subject(s): Courage; Hobson, Richmond Pearson (1870-1937); Sea Battles; Spanish-american War (1898); Valor; Bravery; Naval Warfare | ||||||||
Hail to Hobson! Hail to Hobson! hail to all the valiant set! Clausen, Kelly, Deignan, Phillips, Murphy, Montagu, Charette! Howsoe'er we laud and laurel we shall be their debtors yet! Shame upon us, shame upon us, should the nation e'er forget! Though the tale be worn with the telling, let the daring deed be sung! Surely never brighter valor, since this wheeling world was young, Thrilled men's souls to more than wonder, till praise leaped from every tongue! Trapped at last the Spanish sea-fox in the hill-locked harbor lay; Spake the Admiral from his flagship, rocking off the hidden bay, "We must close you open portal lest he slip by night away!" "Volunteers!" the signal lifted; rippling through the fleet it ran; Was there ever deadlier venture? was there ever bolder plan? Yet the gallant sailors answered, answered well-nigh to a man! Ere the dawn's first rose-flush kindled, swiftly sped the chosen eight Toward the batteries grimly frowning o'er the harbor's narrow gate; Sooth, he holds his life but lightly who thus gives the dare to Fate. They had passed the outer portal where the guns grinned, tier o'er tier, When portentous Morro thundered, and Socapa echoed clear, And Estrella joined the chorus pandemoniac to hear. Heroes without hands to waver, heroes without hearts to quail, There they sank the bulky collier 'mid the hurtling Spanish hail; Long shall float our starry banner if such lads beneath it sail! Hail to Hobson! hail to Hobson! hail to all the valiant set! Clausen, Kelly, Deignan, Phillips, Murphy, Montagu, Charette! Howsoe'er we laud and laurel we shall be their debtors yet! Shame upon us, shame upon us, should the nation e'er forget! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOST ABOARD U.S.S. 'GROWLER'; IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM HICKEY, 1944 by CHARLES OLSON THE CRUISE OF THE MONITOR [MARCH 9, 1862] by GEORGE M. BAKER THE SHANNON AND THE CHESAPEAKE [JUNE 1, 1813] by THOMAS TRACY BOUVE BATTLE OF THE BALTIC by THOMAS CAMPBELL BARNEY'S INVITATION by PHILIP FRENEAU ON THE MEMORABLE VICTORY OF PAUL JONES by PHILIP FRENEAU CASABIANCA by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS THE CUMBERLAND [MARCH 8, 1862] by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW A UTILITARIAN VIEW OF THE MONITOR'S FIGHT by HERMAN MELVILLE |
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