Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-25
Tho dwelling of the statue of Lee.
IXriffnn fnr fhA nIanafrhi


Who gives both heart and hand.
Since In our land Of song and sun
No laureate sings thy praise.
accept this humble lay from ono
Uncrowned with poets bays.
T..
Immortal spirit Passed away
From earth and us who loved thee we'll.
III what Is done by us to-day
30 known 70 thee where thou dost dwell,
| Approve-or pardon, II 10 be,
Thy gentle soul shrinks this display:
| To whom should such be done but thee,
VINO moro than we such need should payf
| True patriot soldlor-traits OF all
or human greatness IN thee dweit,
| While, too, the Masters loving thrali
by all around thee Ger was felt
Where DUTY called was cor thy place,
IL inattered not the grief or pain,
Thy feet ne'er faltered In the race
Though broken ties neor bound again.
Win place and powr the wreath OF fame,
Tho tcmptor beckonod thee to stay;
a true tranemittor OF thy name,
Thou brush'dst the glittering brides away.
And heark ming TO thy country's call,
mindful OF tho gain or loss,
thou cam'st With her 20 stand or fall
TO earn crown or win q cross.
They call thee Rebel Even 30,
Thy deathloss prototype was height;
HenceiOrth twin stars shall grandly glow,
And mako Fame's Armament more bright
II.
Through years OF weary strife and WOO
Thou borst the burdens OF the weak.
No mortal mind shall ever know
How Oft thy heart was fain 30 break.
Thou stoodest AZ the hills upresred,
Rock ribbed and bressting every storm;
Unshaken. though thy brow Was scared,
BY gales that beat against thy form.
And whom at last Defeats wan face
Full stared-the lset faint hope had fled
Who bore the blow with nobler grace7
Who bent a le-S-dishonorod head?
subimely looked thy mighty soul,
Uniiinching through naught-fearing eyes;
No tremOr marred thy firm control
Zen midst Defeats sharp egonies.
So nobly didst thou bow and fall,
SO brsvely yield 20 bitter fate,
That In the future mon shall call
Thee, rather than thy cOnqueror. great.
Wars woe and ruin passed away,
And peace reposinR on hor throne,
Again the tompter's rich display
We see thee sfun in quiet ecorn.
And. turning from the worlds turmoil
As still thy wont had over been,
Engage for others veal 10 tOil,
A gentle task Of love begin.
Though vanquished. oil the earth was thine.
TO choose was all thou hadst 10 do
But from tho straight and narrow line,
NOr pelf nor plsce thee over drew;
But by disaster undismayed,
With faith unshaR On IN thy God,
And honor stainless as thy blade,
Thou still pursudst the beaten road;
And rs thy shortening steps advanced.
And on thy head LIES SHOWS cane down,
Thy glory every day enhanced,
Thy peoples love grew moro thine own.
Blest those who In thy presence dwelt,
Who heard thy words, so wise and true,
The heart OF Heaven saw and felt
Thine own heart softly beating through
Thy life so true should stir the best
That IN weak human souls there IL,
And every breast that holds thee guest
Be cleAnsed OF meaner memories.
".
The page OF Fame is broad and full,
But few the names that glisten there,
Which, as thine own, have naught 10 dull
Are, as virgin, pure and lair
As dear 10 those who do them claim
Are some, as glorious some may be;
But hardly shines hcros name
As spOtieSs ar the name Of Leo
Illustrious In It's lineage long.
Resplendently II CLEANS ana gioWs,
And lightens history and song
Down through q century's corridors.
Dishonor's shadow never fell
ON it, no stain its lustre dims.
Where Ices DuTg spirit loved 70 dHOu
No borderlaRd Of blsckness rims.
Untarnished is the laureled crown
Which he alone OF all men wears,
Though had all but writ him down
Who now the name 50 nObly bears
virginlan youth This name for you
A beacon burns 10 guide you on;
BE sure that 10 will lead you true
Though breakers roar or ellis should froYn.
When she Of old was asked 10 show
Her Jewels she did prize the most,
She led her manly sons 70 view,
With mien Of pride, unspoNen boast
These hold she dearer faI than oil
Tho gems that IN her Golfers lay,
But they who could her Mother call
Wore richer SIN than she could say.
So with Virginia and her sons;
These are her wealth OF greatest worm,
No Drawer blood in manhood runs,
Than theirs there is no nobler birth.
For they who own her stainless name
And stainless may 1t ever DO -
Are heirs Of an unbomished ZANE,
And oarth's uncr0wned NOBILITY
Haira and guardians For, alas
There traitors are 10 this proud trust,
who'd DER their m6ugled mother pass
As she lay bleeding In me dust
These reck not what IL IS 10 have
A legacy OF civic shame;
Like 10 the shacklos Of u slave
Is stain upon states pure name.
To live IN bronze or sculptured stone
is need tor which a king might fall;
Bnt worth fer more than any throne
Is freemens hearts 10 hold IN thrall
with an the world our Witnesses,
This stately form We here uprear
To prove our love and pride are his
Who stands without modern peer.
This efflgy we raise on high
OF thee, . patriot, hero, SHOWS
That in our hoarts can never die
The love that there for thee now gloWs.
This tribute take and let 1t tell
In tones resOundine through all time,
Tn thee and the great cause that Tell.
We'll still hold dear, still deem sublime.
Though both are dead, both with us live.
And 10 tho end shall still endure;
Our love whereer we Will we give,
Ii scorns the victor tyrants power.
How In their hearts virginians hold
Nv this mute bronze let all mon 500
This man, made IN a God-like mould,
The matchless hero. ROBERT LEE.
GEORGE w. CHILDs.
Richmond. "a, May 2Sd.