We thought, as we hollowed his narrow bed That the foe and the stranger would tread o'er his head, Lightly they'll talk of the spirit that's gone, But half of our heavy task was done, When the clock tolled the hour for retiring; And we heard the distant and random gun That the foe was sullenly firing. Slowly and sadly we laid him down, From the field of his fame fresh and gory! SUGGESTIVE EXERCISES 1. Why does not the poet praise the hero? 2. Why was the hero denied the honor of a soldier's burial? 3. Explain "useless coffin." 4. Why were the prayers "few and short"? 5. Why did the soldiers speak "not a word of sorrow"? 6. Why "bitterly thought of the morrow"? 7. Why think of the foe and stranger treading o'er his head? 8. Then why not bury him at sea? 9. Explain the two lines beginning, "But little he'll reck." 10. Why "heavy task"? 11. Why "carved not a line” nor raised a stone? 12. In what sense did they leave him alone in his glory? 13. Re-read the poem and select those expressions that indicate a hasty burial. 14. What touches reveal the intense loyalty of his soldiers? 15. In what respect does this poem contain a greater tribute than a costly marble memorial? BURIAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE 45 REFERENCES The historical introduction is given here because the histories containing the story are not easily accessible to the average pupil. The complete record of this feature of the Peninsular Campaign is given in the following references: KNIGHT: Crown History of England. NAPIER: History of the War in the Peninsula. FoY: History of the War in the Peninsula. GLEIG: Eminent British Military Commanders. General Sir John Moore. JOMINI: Life of Napoleon. Ch. 13. BURNS: Bannockburn. GILDER: Burial of Grant. ALEXANDER: Burial of Moses. ALBEE: A Soldier's Grave. BOKER: Dirge for a Soldier. CAMPBELL: A Soldier's Dream. RILEY: The Silent Victors. The Old Man and Jim. O'HARA: The Bivouac of the Dead. FINCH: The Blue and the Gray. WHITMAN: O Captain! My Captain! TENNYSON: Ode to the Duke of Wellington. Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead. HART: John Burns of Gettysburg. BRYANT: The Battlefield. TH THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER JAMES T. FIELDS HE dim cabin-light fell on the blanched face of the storm-beaten old sea-captain, a face stamped with lines of grim despair. His lip trembles as he seems to shout some word of certain peril to the huddling, terrorstricken souls, some kneeling at prayers, some listening shudderingly to the fierce roar of the hungry sea. By his side, grasping his icy hand eagerly in both of hers, is his little daughter, with peaceful up-turned face aglow with simple childish faith, seeming to ask some sweet, simple question that should still the storms within and make the weakest heart take courage. Such a picture might an artist paint to reveal the message of child-like faith contained in this poem. Long hours the stout-hearted captain and his heroic crew had fought with Death till strength and courage failed. Even the iron nerves of the heroic old captain weakened, and he gave up in despair as he staggered, heart-sick, down the cabin stairs, shouting hopelessly, "We are lost." Above the angry roar of waves and wintry storm blast, above the agonizing prayers and cries of wild despair, his little daughter, seizing her father's icy hand and looking earnestly into his troubled face, asked fervently, "Is n't God upon the ocean just the same as on the land?" It was God's own "Peace, be still" which seemed to quiet the wrathful waves without as it settled the fears within and the sequel is re corded, "We anchored safe in harbor when the morn was shining clear." THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER* We were crowded in the cabin, 'Tis a fearful thing in winter As thus we sat in darkness, Each one busy at his prayers, Just the same as on the land?" Then we kissed the little maiden, SUGGESTIVE EXERCISES 1. Tell briefly the situation of vessel and crew. 2. What indicates the intense fury of the storm? Read the passages. *Used by special permission of the publishers, Houghton Mifflin Company. |