DIRGE FOR A SOLDIER. BY GEORGE H. BOKER.
Reading edition
George Henry Boker, the American poet, was born in Philadelphia in 1823, and died there in 1890. He was educated at Princeton, and studied law, but never practiced. In 1871 he was made Minister Resident to Turkey, and from 1875 to 1879 he was Minister to Russia. He wrote several volumes of verse and the tragedies “Francesca da Rimini,” “Anne Boleyn,” and “Leonore de Guzman.”
Close his eyes; his work is done! What to him is friend or foeman, Rise of moon or set of sun, Hand of man or kiss of woman? Lay him low, lay him low, In the clover or the snow! What cares he? He cannot know; Lay him low!
As man may, he fought his fight, Proved his truth by his endeavor; Let him sleep in solemn might, Sleep for ever and forever. Lay him low, lay him low, In the clover or the snow What cares he? He cannot know; Lay him low!
Fold him in his country’s stars, Roll the drum and fire the volley! What to him are all our wars, What but death bemocking folly? Lay him low, lay him low In the clover or the snow! What cares he? He cannot know; Lay him low!
Leave him to God’s watching eye; Trust him to the hand that made him. Mortal love weeps idly by; God alone has power to aid him. Lay him low, lay him low, In the clover or the snow! What cares he? He cannot know; Lay him low!