Classic Poem

He sleeps afar from friends and home,
New England's son so brave!
Kind stranger hands his form prepared
To fill an honored grave.

He lived not long enough to gain
Scott's world-wide martial fame,
But, dying, rose to Ellsworth's side,
And won a hero's name.

Bright shall the everlasting bays
Around his young head twine;
And Liberty's dear lovers make
His grave the patriot's shrine.

O fond maternal heart! that bled,
When o'er the quivering wire,
With sudden shock, the tidings came,
That he had " gone up higher. "

Thou mother of a hero son!
Smile through thy falling tears,
Till Hope's bright rainbow gilds the path
Thou'lt tread in coming years.

When Peace shall bless our struggling land,
And Freedom's battle's won,
Thy mourning heart, with Christian faith
Will throb, " Thy will be done. "

And when Life's evening shadows steal
Across thy dying eye,
Lo! waiting for thy greetings fond
Will be thy hero boy.