Page:Poems, Volume 1, Coates, 1916.djvu/154

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132
MEMORIAL ODE

America to-day
Binds in her hair
The olive and the undecaying bay:
An adult Nation, gloriously fair,


Who with a mother's pride
Her children gave,
Who feels their triumph, as her oceans, wide,
And sorrows for her unreturning brave.


Peace is their martyr-crown:
No length of years
Can chill her love or lessen their renown!—
But ah! her pæan falters, hushed in tears.


· · · · · · · · ·

Who are these advancing
With bugle note and drum,
Their bayonets far glancing?
Say, who are these that come?
They are thy sons, Great Mother!
Such sons hath any other?
Be comforted, and bless them as they come!


Be comforted! Though all

Respond not to thy voice,