The bronzèd soldiers, Blue and Gray,
Took each the peaceful homeward way;
When the foiled traitors sought to attain
By fraud what force had failed to gain,—
Heart-sick, we said the words once more:
“The nation’s heart is sound at core.”
And always, as the worst seemed near,
And stout hearts failed for very fear,
Came a great throb the country through,—
The nation’s heart still beating true!