He passed in triumph, passed to find, though other battles loomed before,
That monarchy, could not again, in this free land her loss restore.
COMRADES.
Comrades, yea comrades in war and comrades in peace,
Comrades when bugles were sounding a blessed release;
Comrades when bullets were whistling and death rode in sight,
Comrades ’mid battle and conquest and comrades to-night.
Comrades when many a river ran red with blood,
Comrades when war swept us on with the force of a flood;
Comrades when charging the fortress each fain would be first;
Comrades where thickest and fiercest the hissing shells burst.
Comrades, even as in the great conflicts of yore,
Comrades with danger behind us and danger before;
Comrades when tempests of sorrow were shrouding the sky,
Comrades to suffer and conquer, or suffer and die.
CHARACTER.
Armed with reason, braced by knowledge,
Surely such a one is king;
Ready in his honest manhood
For whatever fate may bring.
Public spirited, courageous,
Gauging chances at their best;
Let his character commend him,
Time will gladly do the rest.