Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/219

 The Monument to General Robert E. Lee. 211

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From Bacon down to Washington The generations passed, Great events and moving causes Were in serried order massed : Berkeley well was first confronted, Better George the King at last !

From the times of that stern ruler To our own familiar days, Long the pathway we have trodden — Hard and devious were its ways — Till at last there came the second Mightier Revolution's blaze ;

Till at last there broke the tempest Like a cyclone on the sea, When the lightnings blazed and dazzled And the thunders were set free — And riding on that whirlwind came Majestic Robert Lee.

Who — again I ask the question — Who may challenge in debate, With any show of truthfulness. Our former social state Which brought forth more than heroes In their lives supremely great ?

Not Peter the wild Crusader

When bent upon his knee,

Not Arthur and his belted knights

In the poet's song could be

More earnest than those Southern men

Who followed Robert Lee.

They thought that they were right, and this

Was hammered into those

Who held that crest all drenched in blood

Where the " Bloody Angle " rose.

As for all else ? It passes by

As the idle wind that blows.

in.

Then stand up, oh my Countrymen ! And unto God give thanks. On mountains, and on hillsides, And by sloping river banks — Thank God that you were worthy Of the grand Confederate ranks ;