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

Yet firm his faith that wars

Ere long would cease to vex the sad, ensanguined earth,

And peace forever reign, as at Christ’s holy birth.

Blest land, in whose dark hour

Arise to loftiest power

No dazzlers of the sword to play the tyrant’s part,

But patriot-soldiers, true and pure and high of heart!

Of such our chief of all;

And he who broke the wall

Of civil strife in twain, no more to build or mend;