Herman Melville Poems (92 Poems)
Bridegroom Dick (Herman Melville Poems)
1876 Sunning ourselves in October on a dayBalmy as spring, though the year was in decay,I lading my pipe, she stirring her tea,My old woman she says to me,“Feel ye, old man, how the season mellows?”And why should I not, … Continue reading
The Haglets (Herman Melville Poems)
By chapel bare, with walls sea-beatThe lichened urns in wilds are lostAbout a carved memorial stoneThat shows, decayed and coral-mossed,A form recumbent, swords at feet,Trophies at head, and kelp for a winding-sheet. I invoke thy ghost, neglected fane,Washed by the waters’ … Continue reading
The Victor Of Antietam (Herman Melville Poems)
When tempest winnowed grain from bran;And men were looking for a man,Authority called you to the van, McClellan:Along the line the plaudit ran,As later when Antietam’s cheers began. Through storm-cloud and eclipse must moveEach Cause and Man, dear to the stars … Continue reading
Stonewall Jackson (Ascribed To A Virginian) (Herman Melville Poems)
One man we claim of wrought reknown Which not the North shall care to slur;A Modern lived who sleeps in death, Calm as the marble Ancients are: ’Tis he whose life, though a vapor’s wreath, Was charged with the lightning’s burning breath — Stonewall, stormer … Continue reading
A Meditation (Herman Melville Poems)
How often in the years that close, When truce had stilled the sieging gun,The soldiers, mounting on their works, With mutual curious glance have runFrom face to face along the fronting show,And kinsman spied, or friend–even in a foe. What thoughts conflicting … Continue reading
On The Slain Collegians (Herman Melville Poems)
Youth is the time when hearts are large, And stirring warsAppeal to the spirit which appeals in turn To the blade it draws.If woman incite, and duty show (Though made the mask of Cain),Or whether it be Truth’s sacred cause, Who can aloof remainThat … Continue reading
John Marr And Other Sailors (Herman Melville Poems)
Since as in night’s deck-watch ye show,Why, lads, so silent here to me,Your watchmate of times long ago?Once, for all the darkling sea,You your voices raised how clearly,Striking in when tempest sung;Hoisting up the storm-sail cheerly,_Life is storm–let storm!_ you … Continue reading
The Temeraire (Herman Melville Poems)
The gloomy hulls in armor grim, Like clouds o’er moors have met,And prove that oak, and iron, and man Are tough in fibre yet. But Splendors wane. The sea-fight yields No front of old display;The garniture, emblazonment, And heraldry all decay. Towering afar in … Continue reading
Herba Santa (Herman Melville Poems)
IAfter long wars when comes releaseNot olive wands proclaiming peace Can import dearer shareThan stems of Herba Santa hazed In autumn’s Indian air.Of moods they breathe that care disarm,They pledge us lenitive and calm. IIShall code or creed a lure affordTo win … Continue reading
Tom Deadlight (Herman Melville Poems)
Farewell and adieu to you noble hearties,– Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain,For I’ve received orders for to sail for the Deadman, But hope with the grand fleet to see you again. I have hove my ship to, with main-top-sail aback, boys; I have … Continue reading
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