Shades of our heroes dead,
Sleeping in glory,
Here, where your blood was shed,
Carve we your story!
Marble must sink in dust,
Fame lives forever.
Though your true blades be rust,
Forget we? Never!
Yon sculptured sentinel
Watches your sleeping.
Tells how you fought and fell,
Loyally keeping
Life’s trust. You met death’s hour
Stern and undaunted.
Ours ’tis to nurse the flower
Your valor planted.
Here, ‘neath the giant hills,
Rest warriors, rest ye!
Lulled by the murm’ring rills,
None shall molest ye!
Fanned by our south wind’s breath,
Sleep, soldiers weary!
Yours was no fameless death,
Darksome and dreary.
Sleep well! The strife is past;
No war-drum’s rattle
Breaks forth, nor bugle’s blast.
Hushed is the battle.
Wrapt in your native earth,
Sweet be your slumber!
When shall we match your worth?
When your deeds number?
Strewn be this sacred sod,
Soldier’s fit pillow.
Whence your souls sprang to God,
With sorrow’s willow!
Many a youth shall bring
Many a maiden,
Tribute of balmy spring
Here, flower-laden.
Sleep on; but not for aye!
Should war’s red chalice
Dash out its gory spray
Over our valleys,
Come! In the battle’s crest
Flash your proud lances,
Lead where our bravest, best
Column advances!
(J E Battaile)
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Based on Topics: God Poems, Death & Dying Poems, War & Peace Poems, Youth Poems, Flowers Poems, Sleep Poems, Success Poems, Past Poems, Fame Poems, Trust Poems, Soldiers PoemsBased on Keywords: loyally, fameless, war-drum, flower-laden