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Poem
May 20, 1870
The Aegis & Intelligencer
Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland
What is this article about?
Elegy mourning Ensign Charles A. Copp, who perished heroically on the sinking USS Oneida while attending the sick, refusing to leave his post until relieved. The poem praises his bravery, consoles his family, and reflects on fame versus personal grief.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Poetical.
DEATH'S RELIEF.
BY FAITH LYLE.
On the death of Ensign Charles A. Copp, who bravely perished on the Oneida. He was in attendance upon the sick, and when summoned from them with the warning that the vessel was sinking, his last and noble words were: "I am stationed here, and cannot come until I am relieved."
Oh! brave heart now resting beneath the deep sea,
Enshrined be the mem'ry earth holds now of thee,
Immortal the laurels entwined round thy name,
Brave heart, now at rest, 'neath the merciless main.
Heroic thy conduct; e'en true to the last,
Though death's icy form was nearing thee fast;
Still true to thy post—undaunted thy heart,
Though life unto death hath yielded its part.
Tho' perished the weak with the unfinished prayer;
Tho' sinking the faint 'mid woe and despair;
Tho' men brave and steadfast thy danger perceived,
Ye answered, "I come not until I'm relieved."
Unbroken thy slumber save by music wild,
Or sea-moans, that breathe so peaceful and mild,
Above the wild waves now hissingly surge,
Or chant round thy bed a low, solemn dirge.
Then sleep, loved and brave one, amid Ocean's roar,
Thou art safe 'mid its dreamings—thy trials are o'er.
Its spray weeps in silence, around thy young head,
Though unknown to thy kindred thy watery bed.
God comfort and cheer them, where'er they may be,
And give them a solace in memory of thee;
But will Fame conquer sorrow's lingering pain—
Banish death's wounds or renew joy again?
Will it heal bleeding hearts in this terrible hour,
Dry up all tears or refresh Hope's dead flower?
Give life to the brave, who with thee now sleep,
Calm, holy in death beneath the far deep?
Perhaps—but some hearts will treasure thy name,
Though thy memory blooms ever on pages of Fame;
Tho' nations still cherish thy glorious deed,
Some head will be bowed, some broken heart bleed.
Oh! brave one at rest, my heart breathes a prayer,
That God in His merciful kindness and care,
May soothe and sustain in this bitterest strife
They who cherish in death, and loved thee in life.
Sleep, noble and brave, 'neath deep waters wide,
Thy memory is crowned with glory and pride;
All honor is thine—thy bravery believed
Sleep—for now truly—God hath thee "relieved."
DEATH'S RELIEF.
BY FAITH LYLE.
On the death of Ensign Charles A. Copp, who bravely perished on the Oneida. He was in attendance upon the sick, and when summoned from them with the warning that the vessel was sinking, his last and noble words were: "I am stationed here, and cannot come until I am relieved."
Oh! brave heart now resting beneath the deep sea,
Enshrined be the mem'ry earth holds now of thee,
Immortal the laurels entwined round thy name,
Brave heart, now at rest, 'neath the merciless main.
Heroic thy conduct; e'en true to the last,
Though death's icy form was nearing thee fast;
Still true to thy post—undaunted thy heart,
Though life unto death hath yielded its part.
Tho' perished the weak with the unfinished prayer;
Tho' sinking the faint 'mid woe and despair;
Tho' men brave and steadfast thy danger perceived,
Ye answered, "I come not until I'm relieved."
Unbroken thy slumber save by music wild,
Or sea-moans, that breathe so peaceful and mild,
Above the wild waves now hissingly surge,
Or chant round thy bed a low, solemn dirge.
Then sleep, loved and brave one, amid Ocean's roar,
Thou art safe 'mid its dreamings—thy trials are o'er.
Its spray weeps in silence, around thy young head,
Though unknown to thy kindred thy watery bed.
God comfort and cheer them, where'er they may be,
And give them a solace in memory of thee;
But will Fame conquer sorrow's lingering pain—
Banish death's wounds or renew joy again?
Will it heal bleeding hearts in this terrible hour,
Dry up all tears or refresh Hope's dead flower?
Give life to the brave, who with thee now sleep,
Calm, holy in death beneath the far deep?
Perhaps—but some hearts will treasure thy name,
Though thy memory blooms ever on pages of Fame;
Tho' nations still cherish thy glorious deed,
Some head will be bowed, some broken heart bleed.
Oh! brave one at rest, my heart breathes a prayer,
That God in His merciful kindness and care,
May soothe and sustain in this bitterest strife
They who cherish in death, and loved thee in life.
Sleep, noble and brave, 'neath deep waters wide,
Thy memory is crowned with glory and pride;
All honor is thine—thy bravery believed
Sleep—for now truly—God hath thee "relieved."
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
War Military
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Ensign Charles Copp
Oneida Sinking
Brave Duty
Naval Elegy
Heroic Death
Ocean Grave
What entities or persons were involved?
By Faith Lyle.
Poem Details
Title
Death's Relief.
Author
By Faith Lyle.
Subject
On The Death Of Ensign Charles A. Copp, Who Bravely Perished On The Oneida
Key Lines
"I Am Stationed Here, And Cannot Come Until I Am Relieved."
Oh! Brave Heart Now Resting Beneath The Deep Sea,
Still True To Thy Post—Undaunted Thy Heart,
Ye Answered, "I Come Not Until I'm Relieved."
Sleep—For Now Truly—God Hath Thee "Relieved."