Leaves of grass (1872) | ||
Dirge for Two Veterans.
1
The last sunbeamLightly falls from the finish'd Sabbath,
On the pavement here—and there beyond, it is looking,
Down a new-made double grave.
2
Lo! the moon ascending!Up from the east, the silvery round moon;
Beautiful over the house-tops, ghastly, phantom moon;
Immense and silent moon.
3
I see a sad procession,And I hear the sound of coming full-key'd bugles;
291
As with voices and with tears.
4
I hear the great drums pounding,And the small drums steady whirring;
And every blow of the great convulsive drums,
Strikes me through and through.
5
For the son is brought with the father;In the foremost ranks of the fierce assault they fell;
Two veterans, son and father, dropt together,
And the double grave awaits them.
6
Now nearer blow the bugles,And the drums strike more convulsive;
And the day-light o'er the pavement quite has faded,
And the strong dead-march enwraps me.
7
In the eastern sky up-buoying,The sorrowful vast phantom moves illumin'd;
('Tis some mother's large, transparent face,
In heaven brighter growing.)
8
O strong dead-march, you please me!O moon immense, with your silvery face you soothe me!
O my soldiers twain! O my veterans, passing to burial!
What I have I also give you.
9
The moon gives you light,And the bugles and the drums give you music;
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.
Leaves of grass (1872) | ||