George Hooker Colton (1818–1847)

“FALLEN I lie on this field red and gory,

Thousands around me are silent and cold;

Brief my existence, but deathless my glory,

As you, ye bright worlds, that can never grow old.

Lo! now I die for thee,

Heavenly-born Liberty—

On thy star-dwelling banner my name be enroll’d.

“Mother, dear mother, the tomb doth enfold thee,

Yet shall we meet by unperishing springs!

Sister, the world—if with frowns it behold thee—

God will spread o’er thee his cherishing wings!

Father—thou near to me

Slumberest, how silently!

But light to thy spirit immortally clings!

“When from thee, dearest, in sadness I parted,

How thy pale lips falter’d, ‘Must thou be gone?

Yet—yet thy country calls!’ O gentle-hearted,

Thousands are with me; yet I am alone!

But my last thought shall be

Freedom and thee, Mary,

Where the perish’d are countless, the living are flown.

“Stars, gazing down on the dead and the dying,

Yet with a vision unclouded by tears,

Soon will my soul, from its dull mansion flying,

Mix with your brightness, immortal in years.

Yet shalt thou be, Mary,

Dearest to memory,

Mid the music and light of their far-rolling spheres!

“O! might thy kiss, press’d in tears and in sorrow,

Close my cold lips with the seal of thy love,

How would I welcome Eternity’s morrow!

She comes!—let me clasp thee, thou Death’s gentle dove!

Breathe thy sweet voice, Mary!

O cruel phantasy!

Can it be but a vision?—yet meet we above!”