MERCIE’S MONUMENT, LEE CIRCLE, RICHMOND
I sing the hymn of the Conquered who fell in the battle of life,
The hymn of the wounded, the beaten, who died overwhelmed in the strife;
Not the jubilant song of the Victors for whom the resounding acclaim
Of nations was lifted in chorus, whose brows wore the chaplet of fame.
While the voice of the world shouts its chorus, its paeans for those who have won,
While the trumpet is sounding triumphant, and high to the breeze and the sun
Gay banners are waving, hands clapping and hurrying feet
Throwing after the laurel-crowned victors, I stand on the field of Defeat.