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To a Certain Civilian.

Part of the cluster DRUM-TAPS.

TO A CERTAIN CIVILIAN.

DID you ask dulcet rhymes from me? Did you seek the civilian's peaceful and languishing rhymes? Did you find what I sang erewhile so hard to follow? Why I was not singing erewhile for you to follow, to understand—  
 nor am I now;
(I have been born of the same as the war was born, The drum-corps' rattle is ever to me sweet music, I love well the  
 martial dirge,
With slow wail and convulsive throb leading the officer's funeral;) What to such as you anyhow such a poet as I? therefore leave my  
 works,
And go lull yourself with what you can understand, and with piano- 
 tunes,
For I lull nobody, and you will never understand me.

Part of the cluster DRUM-TAPS.

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