Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/143

Rh THE BURIAL OF GRANT

(NEW YORK, AUGUST 8, 1885)

I

living soldiers of the mighty war,

Once more from roaring cannon and the drums

And bugles blown at morn, the summons comes;

Forget the halting limb, each wound and scar;

Once more your Captain calls to you;

Come to his last review!

II

And come ye, too, bright spirits of the dead,

Ye who flamed heavenward from the embattled field;

And ye whose harder fate it was to yield

Life from the loathful prison or anguished bed;

Dear ghosts! come join your comrades here

Beside this sacred bier.

III

Nor be ye absent, ye immortal band,—

Warriors of ages past, and our own age,—

Who drew the sword for right, and not in rage,

Made war that peace might live in all the land,

Nor ever struck one vengeful blow,

But helped the fallen foe.

IV

And fail not ye,—but, ah, ye falter not

To join his army of the dead and living,—

Ye who once felt his might, and his forgiving;

Brothers, whom more in love than hate he smote.

For all his countrymen make room

By our great hero's tomb!