How long? how long? O God! our cause is just, And in Thee only do we put our trust.
As Thou didst guide the Israelites of old Through the Red Sea, and through the desert wold,
Lead Thou our leaders, and our land shall be For evermore, the land where all are free!
Hail and farewell,—we whisper in one breath, As thus we meet thee, hand in hand with death!
God give thy ashes undisturbed repose Where drum-beat wakens neither friend nor foes;
God take thy spirit to eternal rest, And, for Christ’s sake, enroll thee with the blest!
IN THE WILDERNESS
May 6, 1864
How beautiful was earth that day! The far blue sky had not a cloud; The river rippled on its way, Singing sweet songs aloud.
The delicate beauty of the spring Pervaded all the murmuring air; It touched with grace the meanest thing And made it very fair.