Library of the best American literature / Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturers

by Unknown

Not his the love of blood, the warrior’s cruel boast.

But in the battle’s flame

How glorious he came!—

Even like a white-combed wave that breaks and tears the shore,

While wreck lies strewn behind, and terror flies before.

’Twas he,—his voice, his might,—

Could stay the panic flight,

Alone shame back the headlong, many-leagued retreat,

And turn to evening triumph morning’s foul defeat.

He was our modern Mars;