V.
Stern endurance, bitterer still,
Sharp with self-denial,
Fraught with loftier sacrifice,
Fuller far of trial—
Strews our flinty path of thorns—
Marks our bloody story—
Fits us for the victor's palm—
Weaves our robe of glory!
Shall we faint with God above,
And His strong arm under—
And the cold world gazing on,
In a maze of wonder?
No! with more resistless march,
More resolved endeavor,
Press we onward—struggle still,
Fight and win forever!
—Holy peace will heal all ills,
Joy all losses cover,
Raptures rend our Southern skies,
When the war is over!