The Cumberland

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Title:     The Cumberland
Author: Herman Melville [More Titles by Melville]

(March, 1862.)

Some names there are of telling sound,
Whose voweled syllables free
Are pledge that they shall ever live renowned;
Such seem to be
A Frigate's name (by present glory spanned)--
The Cumberland.

Sounding name as ere was sung,
Flowing, rolling on the tongue--
Cumberland! Cumberland!

She warred and sunk. There's no denying
That she was ended--quelled;
And yet her flag above her fate is flying,
As when it swelled
Unswallowed by the swallowing sea: so grand--
The Cumberland.

Goodly name as ere was sung,
Roundly rolling on the tongue--
Cumberland! Cumberland!

What need to tell how she was fought--
The sinking flaming gun--
The gunner leaping out the port--
Washed back, undone!
Her dead unconquerably manned
The Cumberland.

Noble name as ere was sung,
Slowly roll it on the tongue--
Cumberland! Cumberland!

Long as hearts shall share the flame
Which burned in that brave crew,
Her fame shall live--outlive the victor's name;
For this is due.
Your flag and flag-staff shall in story stand--
Cumberland!

Sounding name as ere was sung,
Long they'll roll it on the tongue--
Cumberland! Cumberland!

[The end]
Herman Melville's poem: Cumberland

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