We laid our country's honor in their hands
And sent them forth undoubting; said farewell
With hearts too proud, too jealous of their fame
To own our pain. To-day glad tears may flow.
To-day they come again, and bring their gift—
Of all earth's gifts most precious—trust redeemed.
We stretch our hands, we lift a joyful cry,
Words of all words the sweetest—"Welcome Home!"
Oh, brave true hearts! oh, steadfast loyal hearts!
They come, and lay their trophies at our feet: