Poetry Performed Episode 035 - Shiloh: A Requiem by Herman Melville

“I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” said Nathan Hale, a hero of the American Revolution. As we pause in the United States to remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, we do the same here on Poetry Performed, with Shiloh: A Requiem by Herman Melville.

Shiloh: A Requiem by Herman Melville

Skimming lightly, wheeling still,
The swallows fly low
Over the field in clouded days,
The forest-field of Shiloh—
Over the field where April rain
Solaced the parched ones stretched in pain
through the pause of night
That followed the Sunday fight
Around the church of Shiloh—
The church so lone, the log-built one,
That echoed to many a parting groan
And natural prayer
Of dying foemen mingled there—
Foemen at morn, but friends at eve—
Fame or country least their care:
(What like a bullet can undeceive!)
But now they lie low,
While over them the swallows skim,
And all is hushed at Shiloh.


That was Shiloh: A Requiem by Herman Melville. Herman Melville, perhaps best known as the author of Moby-Dick, the Civil War had a profound impact on Melville in later life. By the time of his death, he was almost completely forgotten, and indeed, it wasn’t until the 1920s that his work saw a resurgence of popularity. He had died in 1891.

Thanks for listening this week, and thank you to the men and women who fought and gave their lives for this country.