John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Leonard Heath John Bartlett
| 1 |
| On a lone barren isle, where the wild roaring billows Assail the stern rock, and the loud tempests rave, The hero lies still, while the dew-drooping willows, Like fond weeping mourners, lean over his grave. The lightnings may flash and the loud thunders rattle; He heeds not, he hears not, he’s free from all pain; He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle; No sound can awake him to glory again! |
| The Grave of Bonaparte. 1 |
| 2 |
| Yet spirit immortal, the tomb can not bind thee, But like thine own eagle that soars to the sun Thou springest from bondage and leavest behind thee A name which before thee no mortal hath won. Tho’ nations may combat, and war’s thunders rattle, No more on thy steed wilt thou sweep o’er the plain: Thou sleep’st thy last sleep, thou hast fought thy last battle, No sound can awake thee to glory again. |
| The Grave of Bonaparte. |
| Note 1. This poem attributed to Leonard Heath was set to music by Lyman Heath (1804–1870). The author is still unknown. [back] |