| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 843. Vanquished |
| | | By Francis Fisher Browne |
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I
NOT by the ball or brand | |
| Sped by a mortal hand, | |
| Not by the lightning stroke | |
| When fiery tempests broke,— | |
| Not mid the ranks of War | 5 |
| Fell the great Conqueror. | |
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II
Unmovëd, undismayed, | |
| In the crash and carnage of the cannonade,— | |
| Eye that dimmed not, hand that failed not, | |
| Brain that swerved not, heart that quailed not, | 10 |
| Steel nerve, iron form,— | |
| The dauntless spirit that o’erruled the storm. | |
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III
While the Hero peaceful slept | |
| A foeman to his chamber crept, | |
| Lightly to the slumberer came, | 15 |
| Touched his brow and breathed his name: | |
| O’er the stricken form there passed | |
| Suddenly an icy blast. | |
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IV
The Hero woke, rose undismayed, | |
| Saluted Death, and sheathed his blade. | 20 |
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V
The Conqueror of a hundred fields | |
| To a mightier Conqueror yields; | |
| No mortal foeman’s blow | |
| Laid the great Soldier low: | |
| Victor in his latest breath— | 25 |
| Vanquished but by Death. | |
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