Poem: “On the Home Guards who perished in the Defense of Lexington, Missouri” by Herman Melville

Poems From Battle Pieces

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On the Home Guards
who perished in the Defense of Lexington, Missouri

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The men who here in harness died
Fell not in vain, though in defeat.
They by their end well fortified
The Cause, and built retreat
(With memory of their valor tried)
For emulous hearts in many an after fray—
Hearts sore beset, which died at bay.

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

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