Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/367

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MR. GORDON'S POEM.

Mr. Gordon is a man of splendid appearance, and has a resonant, pleasant voice. His poem is a gem, and was recited with fine effect. It is as follows:

" Gladly we should rest ever, and had we won Freedom : We have lost and very gladly rest."

" Weigh not their worth by the balance of battle. These have glorified their cause by the record of noble sacrifice, the simple manhood of their lives, the patient endurance of suffering, and the heroism of death. May such fidelity and patriotism endure forever."

I. Since that spring morning when the first dread gun

Boomed o'er the harbor of the seaport town, Fired by Virginia's lion-hearted son

Who would not live to see his flag go down, Long years have passed away, Youth's gold hath turned to gray; The old men fade and die; the voung age day by day.

II. But ere pale Death shall stand with equal feet

Hard by each door the door of old or young, That glory can be wrested from defeat, Let an " lo Triumphe !" here be sung, Yielding the meed of praise, Of laurels and green bays To young and old alike who fought in those lost days.

III. Brighter than any born of time or fate

More beautiful than e'er beheld of men Fronting the nations stood the fair young State ; And " Rebel " was the splendid badge again Worn by the sons of those Whom Freedom's feudal foes Had learned to bow before when Washington arose.

IV. They gathered around her beautiful bright form

With glittering bayonets fixed to ready guns, Stirred by that passion Liberty keeps warm In every pulse of all her patriot sons, Offering upon her shrine The sacrifice divine Of Love; and each man swore " Her holy cause is mine !"