Poem: “The Fall of Richmond” by Herman Melville

Poems From Battle Pieces

Download PDF

American Literature – American Poetry – Herman Melville – Poems by Herman Melville – Clarel
< < < The Frenzy in the Wake
The Surrender at Appomattox > > >

The Fall of Richmond
The tidings received in the Northern Metropolis.
(April, 1865.)

What mean these peals from every tower,
And crowds like seas that sway?
The cannon reply; they speak the heart
Of the People impassioned, and say—
A city in flags for a city in flames,
Richmond goes Babylon’s way—
Sing and pray.

O weary years and woeful wars,
And armies in the grave;
But hearts unquelled at last deter
The helmed dilated Lucifer—
Honor to Grant the brave,
Whose three stars now like Orion’s rise
When wreck is on the wave—
Bless his glaive.

Well that the faith we firmly kept,
And never our aim forswore
For the Terrors that trooped from each recess
When fainting we fought in the Wilderness,
And Hell made loud hurrah;
But God is in Heaven, and Grant in the Town,
And Right through might is Law —
God’s way adore.

< < < The Frenzy in the Wake
The Surrender at Appomattox > > >

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

If you liked this article, subscribe , put likes, write comments!

Share on social networks

Visit us on Facebook or Twitter

Check out Our Latest Posts

Poems From Battle Pieces

The Fall of RichmondThe tidings received in the Northern Metropolis.(April, 1865.)

Leave a comment Cancel reply

The Fall of Richmond
The tidings received in the Northern Metropolis.
(April, 1865.)