Malvern Hill

by Herman Melville

　　

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July, 1862Ye elms that wave on Malvern Hill In prime of morn and May,Recall ye how McClellan's men Here stood at bay?While deep within yon forest dim Our rigid comrades lay—Some with the cartridge in their mouth,Others with fixed arms lifted South— Invoking so—The cypress glades? Ah wilds of woe!The spires of Richmond, late beheldThrough rifts in musket-haze,Were closed from view in clouds of dust On leaf-walled ways,Where streamed our wagons in caravan; And the Seven Nights and DaysOf march and fast, retreat and fight,Pinched our grimed faces to ghastly plight— Does the elm woodRecall the haggard beards of blood?The battle-smoked flag, with stars eclipsed, We followed (it never fell!)—In silence husbanded our strength— Received their yell;Till on this slope we patient turned With cannon ordered well;Reverse we proved was not defeat;But ah, the sod what thousands meet!— Does Malvern WoodBethink itself, and muse and brood? We elms of Malvern Hill Remember everything; But sap the twig will fill: Wag the world how it will, Leaves must be green in Spring.!

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