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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ETHAN ALLEN, by RUFUS WILMOT GRISWOLD First Line: So here, beneath this old gray stone Last Line: Is blotted from the scroll of fame. Subject(s): Allen, Ethan (1738-1789); Soldiers | |||
So here, beneath this old gray stone, Lies hid the light that brightest shone Upon our green-clad mountains, when War tried the souls of patriot men. Beneath the soil, from tyrants won, Repose the ashes of her son. The mountains were our watch towers then, And guarded by right gallant men, Who flung their banner to the breeze And filled the welkin with their cry To win their freedom or to die. The sound went booming o'er the seas And vassals in the ancient world Beheld the broad flags of the free, O'er hill and valley, stream and sea, Like sheets of living flame unfurled. They caught the spirit of our sires And men like him who sleeps beneath, Who knelt to but one victor, Death. ... Thy ashes rest in deep repose, Unwakened by the tramp of foes, The only REVEILLE to start Anew to life a soldier's heart. Thy soul, translated from its corse, Thou said wouldst find a mountain horse, A spirited and warlike steed, Of matchless form and giant frame— Snow-white and with an eye of flame, A charger of the finest breed, In which it might a while remain To snuff the air and paw the plain, Beneath the same clear skies that gave Light to thy natal place and grave. For thou didst love thy native land And cared not, it may be, to barter For doubtful title in that quarter Where some think thou wert contraband! Brave soldier, not a Spartan thou, Nor hero of the Roman mould— We will not deign to deck thy brow With wreath worn by the men of old. With famed Thermopylae will vie The Yankee patriot's blow at 'Ti,' And many a border battle-field Gives challenge to the ancient tome For deeds that will compare to Rome. An honest heart and firmly steeled Against temptations that had moved (Had life than country been more loved) Was thine; and thy own land Sees in the green-clad hills that rise In glory to her trembling skies Memorials that will not stand When thy less perishable name Is blotted from the scroll of fame. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALL ARMIES ARE THE SAME by ERNEST HEMINGWAY ABSENT WITH OFFICIAL LEAVE by RANDALL JARRELL PORT OF EMBARKATION by RANDALL JARRELL THE CONFESSION OF ST. JIM-RALPH by DENIS JOHNSON OPERATION MEMORY by DAVID LEHMAN TO JANE by RUFUS WILMOT GRISWOLD THREE BLIND MICE by MOTHER GOOSE TO BETTINE; THE CHILD-FRIEND OF GOETHE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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