Re: Peotry
Posted by:
skiffle (---.range217-44.btcentralplus.com)
Date: March 19, 2003 03:05PM
Just going to add this gem from Mum's collection, as it's one of the shortest, and worst.
CONDUCTOR BRADLEY
John Greenleaf Whittier
Conductor Bradley (may always his name
Be said with reverence !), as the swift doom came,
Smitten to death, a crushed and mangled frame,
Sank with the brake he grasped just where he stood
To do the utmost that a brave man could,
And die, if needful, as a brave man should.
Men stooped above him; women dropped their tears
On that poor wreck beyond all hope or fears,
Lost in the strength and glory of his years.
What heard they ? Lo ! the ghastly lips of pain,
Dead to all thought save duty's, moved again:
"Put out the signals to the other train!"
No nobler utterance, since the world began,
From lips of saint or martyr ever ran,
Electric, through the sympathies of man.
Ah me ! how poor and noteless seem to this
The sick-bed dramas of self-consciousness,
Our sensual fears of pain and hopes of bliss !
Oh, grand, supreme endeavour ! Not in vain
That last brave act of failing tongue and brain !
Freighted with life, the downward-rushing train.
Following the wrecked one, as wave follows wave,
Obeyed the warning which the dead lips gave.
Others he saved - himself he could not save.
Nay, the lost life *was* saved. He is not dead
Who in his record still the earth shall tread,
With God's clear aureole shining round his head.
We bow, as in the dust, with all our pride
Of virtue dwarfed the noble deed beside.
God give us grace to live as Bradley died !
Thank heaven I never had to to analyse anything like that at school !