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A DEATH-SONNET FOR CUSTER.
———BY WALT WHITMAN.
I.
Lands of the wild ravine, the dusky Sioux, the lone-
some stretch, the silence,
Haply, to-day, a mournful wail—haply, a trumpet
note for heroes.
II.
The Indian ambuscade—the slaughter and environ-
ment
The cavalry companies fighting to the last—in stern-
est, coolest, heroism.
The fall of Custer, and all his officers and men.
III.
The loftiest of life upheld by death!
The ancient banner perfectly maintained!
(O lesson opportune—O how I welcome thee!)
As, sitting in dark days,
Lone, sulky, through the time's thick murk looking
in vain for light, for hope,
From unsuspected parts, a fierce and momentary
proof,
(The sun there at the center, though concealed,
Electric life forever at the center,)
Breaks forth, a lightning flash.
IV.
I erewhile saw, with erect head, pressing ever in
front, bearing a bright sword in thy hand,
Now ending well the splendid fever of thy deeds,
(I bring no dirge for it or thee—I bring a glad, tri-
umphal sonnet;)
There in the far northwest, in struggle, charge, and
saber-smite,
Desperate and glorious—aye, in defeat most desper-
ate, most glorious,
After thy many battles, in which, never yielding up
a gun or a color,
Leaving behind thee a memory sweet to soldiers,
Thou yieldest up thyself.
Copy-text
Our transcription is based on a digital image of a microfilm copy of an original issue.
Publication Information
"A Death-Sonnet for Custer."
New York Daily Tribune
10 July 1876:
5.
Reprinted as "From Far Dakotas Cañon," Leaves of Grass (1881–82).
Whitman Archive ID
per.00142