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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BURIAL OF LATANE, by JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON Poet's Biography First Line: The combat raged not long; but ours the day Last Line: Change cannot harm him now, nor fortune touch him more. Alternate Author Name(s): Thompson, John Randolph Variant Title(s): Captain Latane Subject(s): American Civil War; U.s. - History | |||
THE combat raged not long, but ours the day; And, through the hosts that compassed us around, Our little band rode proudly on its way, Leaving one gallant comrade, glory-crowned, Unburied on the field he died to gain -- Single of all his men, amid the hostile slain. One moment on the battle's edge he stood -- Hope's halo, like a helmet, round his hair; The next beheld him, dabbled in his blood, Prostrate in death -- and yet, in death how fair! Even thus he passed through the red gates of strife, From earthly crowns and palms, to an immortal life. A brother bore his body from the field, And gave it unto strangers' hands, that closed The calm blue eyes on earth forever sealed, And tenderly the slender limbs composed: Strangers, yet sisters, who, with Mary's love, Sat by the open tomb, and, weeping, looked above. A little child strewed roses on his bier -- Pale roses, not more stainless than his soul, Nor yet more fragrant than his life sincere, That blossomed with good actions -- brief, but whole; The aged matron and the faithful slave Approached with reverent feet the hero's lowly grave. No man of God might say the burial rite Above the "rebel" -- thus declared the foe That blanched before him in the deadly fight; But woman's voice, with accents soft and low, Trembling with pity -- touched with pathos -- read Over his hallowed dust the ritual for the dead. "'T is sown in weakness, it is raised in power!" Softly the promise floated on the air, While the low breathings of the sunset hour Came back responsive to the mourner's prayer. Gently they laid him underneath the sod, And left him with his fame, his country, and his God! Let us not weep for him, whose deeds endure! So young, so brave, so beautiful! He died As he had wished to die; the past is sure; Whatever yet of sorrow may betide Those who still linger by the stormy shore, Change cannot harm him now, nor fortune touch him more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OLD OSAWATOMIE by CARL SANDBURG THE BONNIE BLUE FLAG by HARRY MACARTHY LEE'S PAROLE by MARION MANVILLE THE SURRENDER OF NEW ORLEANS by MARION MANVILLE THE LITTLE ODYSSEY OF JASON QUINT, OF SCIENCE, DOCTOR by THOMAS MCGRATH A CANTICLE: SIGNIFICANT OF NATIONAL EXALTATION CLOSE OF WAR by HERMAN MELVILLE A GRAVE NEAR PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA by HERMAN MELVILLE LEE TO THE REAR [MAY 12, 1864] by JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON |
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