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Leaves of Grass (1891-92)
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VIGIL STRANGE I KEPT ON THE FIELD ONE NIGHT.
VIGIL strange I kept on the field one night; |
When you my son and my comrade dropt at my side that day, |
One look I but gave which your dear eyes return'd with a look I
shall never forget,
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One touch of your hand to mine O boy, reach'd up as you lay on
the ground,
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Then onward I sped in the battle, the even-contested battle, |
Till late in the night reliev'd to the place at last again I made my
way,
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Found you in death so cold dear comrade, found your body son
of responding kisses, (never again on earth responding,)
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Bared your face in the starlight, curious the scene, cool blew the
moderate night-wind,
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Long there and then in vigil I stood, dimly around me the battle-
field spreading,
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Vigil wondrous and vigil sweet there in the fragrant silent night, |
But not a tear fell, not even a long-drawn sigh, long, long I gazed, |
Then on the earth partially reclining sat by your side leaning my
chin in my hands,
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Passing sweet hours, immortal and mystic hours with you dearest
comrade—not a tear, not a word,
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Vigil of silence, love and death, vigil for you my son and my
soldier,
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As onward silently stars aloft, eastward new ones upward stole, |
Vigil final for you brave boy, (I could not save you, swift was your
death,
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I faithfully loved you and cared for you living, I think we shall
surely meet again,)
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Till at latest lingering of the night, indeed just as the dawn
appear'd,
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My comrade I wrapt in his blanket, envelop'd well his form, |
Folded the blanket well, tucking it carefully over head and care-
fully under feet,
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And there and then and bathed by the rising sun, my son in his
grave, in his rude-dug grave I deposited,
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Ending my vigil strange with that, vigil of night and battle-field
dim,
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Vigil for boy of responding kisses, (never again on earth
responding,)
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Vigil for comrade swiftly slain, vigil I never forget, how as day
brighten'd,
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I rose from the chill ground and folded my soldier well in his
blanket,
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And buried him where he fell. |
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