Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
July 22, 1863
Raftsman's Journal
Clearfield, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Elegiac sonnet honoring Colonel Frederick Taylor's heroic death in battle while defending his state from invaders, pondering the inevitability of death and God's wisdom in timing.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
COLONEL FREDERICK TAYLOR
Many the ways that lead to death, but few
Grandly, and one alone is Glory's gate,
Standing wherever free men dare their fate,
Determined, as thou wert, to die—or do!
This thou hast past, young soldier, storming thro'
The fiery darkness round it—not too late
To know the invaders beaten from thy State—
Ah, why too soon to rout them, and pursue?
But some must fall as thou hast fallen; some
Remain to fight, and fall another day:
And some go down in peace to their long rest.
If 'twere not now, it would be still to come;
And whether now, or when thy hairs were gray,
Were fittest for thee—God alone knows best
Many the ways that lead to death, but few
Grandly, and one alone is Glory's gate,
Standing wherever free men dare their fate,
Determined, as thou wert, to die—or do!
This thou hast past, young soldier, storming thro'
The fiery darkness round it—not too late
To know the invaders beaten from thy State—
Ah, why too soon to rout them, and pursue?
But some must fall as thou hast fallen; some
Remain to fight, and fall another day:
And some go down in peace to their long rest.
If 'twere not now, it would be still to come;
And whether now, or when thy hairs were gray,
Were fittest for thee—God alone knows best
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Sonnet
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
War Military
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Colonel Frederick Taylor
Soldier Death
Glory Gate
Invaders State
Divine Will
Poem Details
Title
Colonel Frederick Taylor
Subject
On The Death Of Colonel Frederick Taylor In Battle
Form / Style
14 Line Sonnet In Iambic Pentameter
Key Lines
Determined, As Thou Wert, To Die—Or Do!
This Thou Hast Past, Young Soldier, Storming Thro'
Ah, Why Too Soon To Rout Them, And Pursue?
Were Fittest For Thee—God Alone Knows Best