Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/190



flags of armies overthrown—

Flags fallen beneath the sovereign one

In end foredoomed which closes war;

We here, the captors, lay before

The altar which of right claims all—

Our Country. And as freely we,

Revering ever her sacred call,

Could lay our lives down—though life be

Thrice loved and precious to the sense

Of such as reap the recompense

Of life imperiled for just cause—

Imperiled, and yet preserved;

While comrades, whom Duty as strongly nerved,

Whose wives were all as dear, lie low.

But these flags given, glad we go

To waiting homes with vindicated laws.