SOLDIERS HERE TO-DAY

Soldiers and saviours of the homes we love; Heroes and patriots who marched away, And who marched back, and who marched on above— All—all are here to-day!

By the dear cause you fought for—you are here; At summons of bugle, and the drum Whose palpitating syllables were ne'er More musical, you come!

Here—by the stars that bloom in fields of blue, And by the bird above with shielding wings; And by the flag that floats out over you, With silken beckonings—

Ay, here beneath its folds are gathered all Who warred unscathed for blessings that it gave— Still blessed its champion, though it but fall A shadow on his grave!