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PROMOTED.
His name is safe among the shining names;
His soul is safe in the good Father's care;
And in the hush of this wet, fragrant night,
After the dust, the battle, and the heat,
The loving rain-drops cool upon his grave,
And the veiled stars will watch there till the day.
Dear heart, sleep well!
His soul is safe in the good Father's care;
And in the hush of this wet, fragrant night,
After the dust, the battle, and the heat,
The loving rain-drops cool upon his grave,
And the veiled stars will watch there till the day.
Dear heart, sleep well!
Death, the great purifier, scarce could make
His face more pure; and yet I long to know
The added beauty which it planted there.
But that sweet sorrow will not come to me,
I can but keep his features as they were.
I know the fatal bullet dared not strike
The brow whereon his mother left her kiss;
I hope there is no blood-stain on his cheek;
I hope his lips still keep their tender smile,
That his true hand yet rests upon his sword,
And that anemones and violets,
Taught by the grateful year that is to come,
Will find the nameless pillow where he lies,
And wrap him in the colors which he loved,—
The colors in whose dear defence he died,
Red, white, and blue!
His face more pure; and yet I long to know
The added beauty which it planted there.
But that sweet sorrow will not come to me,
I can but keep his features as they were.
I know the fatal bullet dared not strike
The brow whereon his mother left her kiss;
I hope there is no blood-stain on his cheek;
I hope his lips still keep their tender smile,
That his true hand yet rests upon his sword,
And that anemones and violets,
Taught by the grateful year that is to come,
Will find the nameless pillow where he lies,
And wrap him in the colors which he loved,—
The colors in whose dear defence he died,
Red, white, and blue!
