Page:Southern Life in Southern Literature.djvu/268

250 There, throughout the coming ages, When his sword is rust, And his deeds in classic pages Mindful of her trust, Shall Virginia, bending lowly, Still a ceaseless vigil holy Keep above his dust!

MUSIC IN CAMP

Two armies covered hill and plain, Where Rappahannock s waters Ran deeply crimsoned with the stain Of battle s recent slaughters. The summer clouds lay pitched like tents In meads of heavenly azure; And each dread gun of the elements Slept in its hid embrasure. The breeze so softly blew, it made No forest leaf to quiver; And the smoke of the random cannonade Rolled slowly from the river. And now, where circling hills looked down With cannon grimly" planted, O er listless camp and silent town The golden sunset slanted. When on the fervid air there came A strain now rich, now tender; The music seemed itself aflame With day s departing splendor.