Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/225

Rh Rides like a whirlwind the embattled line,

Kindling the stricken ranks to bravery divine!

And, hark, at set of sun, the cheer that greets

Victorious news from far-off armies, flashed

From camp to camp, with roar on answering roar,

Like bellowing waves that track the tempest down the shore.

But chiefly tell of that one hour of all

When threatening war rolled highest its full tide,

Even to the perilous northern mountain-side

Where Heaven should bid our good cause rise or fall.

Tell of that hour, for never in all the world

Was braver army 'gainst a braver hurled.

To both the victory, all unawares,

Beyond all dreams of losing or of winning;

For the new land which now is ours and theirs,

Had on that topmost day its glorious beginning.

They who charged up that drenched and desperate slope

Were heroes all—and looked in heroes' eyes!

Ah! heroes never heroes did despise!

That day had Strife its bloodiest bourn and scope;

Above the shaken hills and sulphurous skies

Peace lifted up her mournful head and smiled on Hope.

Rushed the great drama on its tragic way

Swift to the happy end from that tremendous day.

Happy, indeed, could memory lose her power

And yield to joy alone the glad, triumphant hour;

Happy if every aching heart could shun

Remembrance of the unreturning one;

If at the Grand Review, when mile on mile

And day on day the marching columns past,

Darkened not o'er the world the shadow vast

Of his foul murder—he the free from guile,