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Warriors and statesmen
have their need of praise,
And what they do or suffer men record;
But the long sacrifice of woman's days
Passes without a thought - without a word;
And many a holy struggle for the sake
Of duties sterny, faithfully fulfilled, -
For which the anxious mind must watch and wake,
And the strong feelings of the heart be stilled -
Goes by unheeded as the summer wind,
And leaves no memory and no trace behind!
Yet, it may be, more lofty courage dwells
In one meek heart which braves an adverse fate,
Than his, whose ardent soul indignant swells
Warmed by the fight, or cheered through high debate:
The Soldier dies surrounded; - could he live
Alone to suffer, and alone to strive?
Answer, ye graves, whose suicidal gloom
Shows deeper horror than a common tomb!
Who sleep within? The men who would evade
An unseen lot of which they felt afraid.
Embarrassment of means, which worked annoy, -
A past remorse, - a future blank of joy, -
The sinful rashness of a blind despair, -
These were the strokes which sent your victims there.
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