Page:Poems, Volume 1, Coates, 1916.djvu/127

Rh Old soldiers still relate

How at Resaca's battle,—

As if to compensate,—

Above the din and rattle

Of musketry, continued long,

A mockingbird sang rapturous song:

And one who lay near death,—

A soldier sorely wounded,

Drew less distressful breath,

As clear that music sounded,

And felt to his tired spirit come

The most delightful dreams of home.

Ah, well! we talk of war,

But peace is so much kinder,

That all our strife is for

Is just the hope to find her:

And see!—how Spring, with look serene,

Is garlanding her halls in green!