History & Politics

The Surrender at Appomattox

by Herman Melville 1819–1891

From Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War

History & Politics

As billows upon billows roll,
On victory victory breaks;
Ere yet seven days from Richmond’s fall
And crowning triumph wakes
The loud joy-gun, whose thunders run
By sea-shore, streams, and lakes.
The hope and great event agree
In the sword that Grant received from Lee.

The warring eagles fold the wing,
But not in Cæsar’s sway;
Not Rome o’ercome by Roman arms we sing,
As on Pharsalia’s day,
But Treason thrown, though a giant grown,
And Freedom’s larger play.
All human tribes glad token see
In the close of the wars of Grant and Lee.

✦ ✦ ✦

Dated April, 1865.

MLA

Melville, Herman. “The Surrender at Appomattox.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/melville/39/.

Chicago

Melville, Herman. “The Surrender at Appomattox.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/melville/39/.

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