Let not a tear be shed!
Of grief give not a token,
Although the silver thread
And golden bowl be broken!
A warrior lived–a Christian died!
Sorrow’s forgotten in our pride!
Go, bring his battle-blade,
His helmet and his plume!
And be his trophies laid
Beside him in the tomb,
Where files of time-marked veterans come
With martial tramp and muffled drum!
Give to the earth his frame,
To moulder and decay;
But not his deathless name–
That can not pass away!
In youth, in manhood, and in age,
He dignified his country’s page!
Green be the willow-bough
Above the swelling mound,
Where sleeps the hero now
In consecrated ground:
Thy epitaph, O Delavan!
God’s noblest work–an honest man!
(George Pope Morris)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, God Poems, Sadness Poems, Youth Poems, Pride Poems, Age Poems, Grief Poems, Silver Poems, Heroism PoemsBased on Keywords: willow-bough, lived-a, battle-blade