Illustrious heroes! welcome all!
Thrice welcome to this princely hall!
With bounding pulse and hearts elate,
We hail your presence in our State,—
The prairie State, whose sons admire
The leader’s worth, the soldiers’ fire;
Whose daughters with unwearied zeal
Our wounded heroes nurse and heal;
Whose gifted bards can celebrate
Those deeds which make her proud and great: