Arms reversed and banners creped - <br />Muffled drums; <br />Snowy horses sable-draped - <br />McPherson comes. <br /> <br />But, tell us, shall we know him more, <br />Lost-Mountain and lone Kenesaw? <br /> <br />Brave the sword upon the pall - <br />A gleam in gloom; <br />So a bright name lighteth all <br />McPherson's doom. <br /> <br />Bear him through the chapel-door - <br />Let priest in stole <br />Pace before the warrior <br />Who led. Bell -toll! <br /> <br />Lay him down within the nave, <br />The lesson read - <br />Man is noble, man is brave, <br />But man's - a weed. <br /> <br />Take him up again and wend <br />Graveward, nor weep: <br />There's a trumpet that shall rend <br />This Soldier's sleep. <br /> <br />Pass the ropes the coffin round, <br />And let descend; <br />Prayer and volley - let it sound <br />McPherson's end. <br /> <br />True fame is his, for life is o'er - <br />Sarpedon of the mighty war.<br /><br />Herman Melville<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-dirge-for-mcpherson/
