In the Harbour: Decoration Day
In the Harbour: Decoration Day - context Summary
Composed for Decoration Day
Written for Decoration Day, Longfellow's poem honors soldiers who died in the American Civil War. It addresses fallen comrades with calm, consoling images of sleep and a final camp free from battle and sickness. The living are cast as guardians, keeping watch and laying fragrant flowers on the "silent tents of green." The poem reflects patriotic tribute and the poet's personal grief, marking remembrance as a communal duty.
Read Complete AnalysesSleep, comrades, sleep and rest On this Field of the Grounded Arms, Where foes no more molest, Nor sentry's shot alarms! Ye have slept on the ground before, And started to your feet At the cannon's sudden roar, Or the drum's redoubling beat. But in this camp of Death No sound your slumber breaks; Here is no fevered breath, No wound that bleeds and aches. All is repose and peace, Untrampled lies the sod; The shouts of battle cease, It is the Truce of God! Rest, comrades, rest and sleep! The thoughts of men shall be As sentinels to keep Your rest from danger free. Your silent tents of green We deck with fragrant flowers; Yours has the suffering been, The memory shall be ours.
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