Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War

by Herman Melville

Cut down the fleet—

Battle no more shall be!

While the fields for fight in æons to come

Congeal beneath the sea.)

The terrors of truth and dart of death

To faith alike are vain;

Though comets, gone a thousand years,

Return again,

Patient she stands—she can no more—

And waits, nor heeds she waxes hoar.