Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-01-21

BgSD LOW IN GRrgFl the e. eatest man is gone!
The greatest spirit fed, our zodern world has
known
He in hi. autumn fell, ere age could tame,
Ripe, through great actions, fer eternal fame!
With broad strategic hand, he scattered far
The seed of victory in the field OF war,
As skilful seedsmen sow the fallow soil,
And lef. harvest rich with Federal spoil
Year after year inhuman odds he foile6;
He piled his viet'res as the Titans mountains piled
His skill Manassas Richmond 7ouch, as should
The thunder of Cold Hsrbor, twice baptized in
blood
When orphan making cannon Numbered left ana
right,
Hi. spirit smiled more calmly from its height,
Revealed his godlike will in every tone,
And, like the splendor Of a fixed star, shonc
Atlast the DAYS drew nigh when all should end
Twas done and all achieved that man could
dare!
nation on a narrow neck of land
Our whole Confederate world in ten miles square,
There stood our hero. proof against the time,
With soul serene, undauntsd aud sublime!
o, how they poured from every foreign shore,
In companies against single brave,
Against tie single regiment, corps!
Bat forty to the mile their works to save
The Southrons left, as sailors quit their ships.
And to dumb cannon pressed despsiring, farewell
lips!
Though food wa, none, and what there was denied,
Their force outnumbered by the Federal dead,
Tie many-languaged host they still detied
UncOn0uered vet though hope itself had lied
Unconquerod, though they kne" their course was
run,
Unpaid, uncad, unfed, untented, and at last-an-
done!
There dressed the hero gaily, like groom.
In that brave cloth with beauteous thread OF
steel,
The wreath about his throat, with sash and plume,
And gold upon his arm, and silver at his heel,
And took Virginia's sword, unstained with dole,
And gave it up as brave man yields his soul !
Success, defeat, truer meaning have:
II is the soul that makes the man or slaVel
'Tis virtue dominates eternally,
From her green heights OF winglesa victory
From her green heights of wingless victory,
Above the clouds of old calamity,
Our hero conquered, only shone the more,
As half eclipsed, the moon burns ruddier than be-
fore!
A grest sclfmastered spirit, he outved
The empty pngeants which his age supplied
n
From Idas mount to Citharon, from Cith@ron 20
Rome!
what though he scorned all effort to be great,
And wished to serve but where the State
Should deem his service most to stand her stead,
Because be walked thus lowly, we magnify him
dead!
As in tie Spring the latter SHOWS preserve
The green and tender blades Of early wheat,
So did his outward show Of coldness serve
To shield a growth of feeling fresh and sweet.
o. he was gentle, kindly, wOman-trusting, true
From instinct brave, but brave from duty, too.
But he is gone! our paragon lies there!
No more for him the loud mouthed cannons roar!
No more the drum, no more the trumpets blare--
The battle. flag, and joy of fight, no more!
BY abor's patient steps, through travail unto
truth
Lie still in glory hero of our hearts,
Sleep sweety in thy vaulted chapel-grave!
The splendor of the iar-excelling stars departs
Not so the lustre Of the godlike brave
Thy glory shall not vanish, but increase,
Thou bravest son of war, and mildos. child CT
peace
Lie still in glory generous, prudent, deep
o. central form in our immortal strife,
With an eternal weight of glory, sleep
Within her breast who gave the name and life!
Lie very STILL no more contend with odds
frsns:ehdant among men-resolentent with the
gods
Lie still in glory! generous, brave and strong!
Perchancc the land we love shall need 4 name;
Perchance the breath of unressted wrong
Shall blow enduring patience into flame.
If So thy name shall leap from star to star,
In thunder, and thy sleeping army wake to Warl