CELEBRATION DAY.
223
To gaze upon the calm, glad skies,
To rove beneath their quiet blue,
To mark each starry front arise
And smile as thou wast wont to do?
To rove beneath their quiet blue,
To mark each starry front arise
And smile as thou wast wont to do?
My heart is very sad to-day;
I know not why it is so sad,
For I have seen the bright array—
Have felt each life-pulse beating glad:
Have gazed upon men's flashing eyes,
And felt that courage dwelt within,
Lips, that would scorn ignoble sighs,
Hearts, all too proud to dream of sin.
Have heard the spirit-stirring song,
That told of great victorious wars;
Around me was an eager throng,
Above me waved the stripes and stars.
I know not why it is so sad,
For I have seen the bright array—
Have felt each life-pulse beating glad:
Have gazed upon men's flashing eyes,
And felt that courage dwelt within,
Lips, that would scorn ignoble sighs,
Hearts, all too proud to dream of sin.
Have heard the spirit-stirring song,
That told of great victorious wars;
Around me was an eager throng,
Above me waved the stripes and stars.
A glorious sight! and yet my heart
Was not with them, nor felt their sway;
But, standing sadly and apart
I thought of thee the live-long day.
I stood in spirit by thy side—
I heard thy voice so like a sigh,
And felt how much of hope had died
In thy blue, melancholy eye.
The hectic flush was on thy cheek,
The damp of death was on thy brow,
The dews of night, the day's last streak;
I saw them then, I see them now:
Was not with them, nor felt their sway;
But, standing sadly and apart
I thought of thee the live-long day.
I stood in spirit by thy side—
I heard thy voice so like a sigh,
And felt how much of hope had died
In thy blue, melancholy eye.
The hectic flush was on thy cheek,
The damp of death was on thy brow,
The dews of night, the day's last streak;
I saw them then, I see them now:
