VICTORS
Not the blare of trumpets, or blazoned banners high,
And not the cheer, of throngs who watch the victors by,
Nor the heart-welcomings from home friends they receive
Express the all of praise the nation has to give;
And not the cheer, of throngs who watch the victors by,
Nor the heart-welcomings from home friends they receive
Express the all of praise the nation has to give;
For those men who have stood amid the wildest wars;
Come from thence exhausted, their triumphs badged with scars,—
And for those heroes who freed Victr'y as they fell,
Must proud hearts ever ring Gratitude's muffled bell!
Come from thence exhausted, their triumphs badged with scars,—
And for those heroes who freed Victr'y as they fell,
Must proud hearts ever ring Gratitude's muffled bell!
Not to bursting cannon the hero yields his life,
But unto stalwart Right, who wields the noiseless knife!
And he who doffs the robe of praise—well earned—to cast
Its warmth on weaker soul, exposed to Censure's blast;
But unto stalwart Right, who wields the noiseless knife!
And he who doffs the robe of praise—well earned—to cast
Its warmth on weaker soul, exposed to Censure's blast;
Whose fevered lips refuse some awful thirst to slake,
And drinks salt tears instead, for some dear comrade's sake,—
Ah, these are deeds which Heav'n's historian records,
The fruit of battles fought without the clash of swords!
And drinks salt tears instead, for some dear comrade's sake,—
Ah, these are deeds which Heav'n's historian records,
The fruit of battles fought without the clash of swords!
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