Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, the — Volume 07: Songs of Many Seasons by Oliver Wendell Holmes
page 68 of 119 (57%)
page 68 of 119 (57%)
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AT A DINNER TO GENERAL GRANT JULY 31, 1865 WHEN treason first began the strife That crimsoned sea and shore, The Nation poured her hoarded life On Freedom's threshing-floor; From field and prairie, east and west, From coast and hill and plain, The sheaves of ripening manhood pressed Thick as the bearded grain. Rich was the harvest; souls as true As ever battle tried; But fiercer still the conflict grew, The floor of death more wide; Ah, who forgets that dreadful day Whose blot of grief and shame Four bitter years scarce wash away In seas of blood and flame? Vain, vain the Nation's lofty boasts,-- Vain all her sacrifice! "Give me a man to lead my hosts, O God in heaven!" she cries. While Battle whirls his crushing flail, And plies his winnowing fan,-- Thick flies the chaff on every gale,-- |
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