Historical: Sir John Moore, an English general, was killed (January 16, 1809) in an engagement between the English and the army of Napoleon at Corunna, in Spain. In accordance with an expressed wish, he was buried at night on the battlefield. In St. Paul's Cathedral, London, a monument was erected to his memory, and a stone also marks the spot where he was buried on the ramparts, at Corunna. Note that it was from this port that the Spanish Armada sailed. Notes and Questions. Who tells the story of the poem? What is the narrator's feeling for Sir John Moore? How do you know? What impressions of Sir John Moore do you get from reading this poem? Which stanza or stanzas do you like best? Why? Select the lines that seem to you most beautiful and memorize them. Which is the greater memorial, a monument of stone or bronze, or such a poem as this? Why? Words and Phrases for Discussion. "corse" "upbraid" "rampart" "random" "bayonets" "sullenly" "shroud" "rock" "spirit" "struggling" "Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot" "The struggling moonbeam" "We bitterly thought of the morrow" * * * * * ABSALOM NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS The waters slept. Night's silvery veil hung low On Jordan's bosom, and the eddies curled Their glassy rings beneath it, like the still, Unbroken beating of the sleeper's pulse. The reeds bent down the stream; the willow leaves, With a soft cheek upon the lulling tide, Forgot the lifting winds; and the long stems, Whose flowers the water, like a gentle nurse, Bears on its bosom, quietly gave way, And leaned in graceful attitudes to rest. How strikingly the course of nature tells, By its light heed of human suffering, That it was fashioned for a happier world!