Dirge for Two Veterans.

Part of the cluster DRUM-TAPS.

DIRGE FOR TWO VETERANS.

1

THE last sunbeam Lightly 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; [ begin page 291 ]

ppp.00270.293.jpg All the channels of the city streets they're flooding,
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.

Part of the cluster DRUM-TAPS.