Poem: “A Dirge for McPherson” by Herman Melville

Poems From Battle Pieces

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American Literature – American Poetry – Herman Melville – Poems by Herman Melville – Clarel
< < < The Eagle of the Blue
At the Cannon’s Mouth > > >

A Dirge for McPherson
Killed in front of Atlanta.
(July, 1864.)

Arms reversed and banners craped—
Muffled drums;
Snowy horses sable-draped—
McPherson comes.

But, tell us, shall we know him more,
Lost-Mountain and lone Kenesaw?

Brave the sword upon the pall—
A gleam in gloom;
So a bright name lighteth all
McPherson’s doom.

Bear him through the chapel-door—
Let priest in stole
Pace before the warrior
Who led. Bell—toll!
Lay him down within the nave,
The Lesson read—
Man is noble, man is brave,
But man’s—a weed.

Take him up again and wend
Graveward, nor weep:
There’s a trumpet that shall rend
This Soldier’s sleep.

Pass the ropes the coffin round,
And let descend;
Prayer and volley—let it sound
McPherson’s end.

True fame is his, for life is o’er—
Sarpedon of the mighty war.

< < < The Eagle of the Blue
At the Cannon’s Mouth > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Herman Melville – Poems by Herman Melville – Clarel

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Poems From Battle Pieces

A Dirge for McPhersonKilled in front of Atlanta.(July, 1864.)

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A Dirge for McPherson
Killed in front of Atlanta.
(July, 1864.)