_Dirge For Two Veterans._

1.

The last sunbeam Lightly falls from the finished 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-keyed bugles; 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, dropped together, And the double grave awaits them.

6.

Now nearer blow the bugles, And the drums strike more convulsive; And the daylight 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 illumined, '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.