Classic Poem

It is well!” he hath died for the country he loved,
?Though he died not 'mid war's din and rattle:
Not alone are they heroes for Freedom who fight,
?And then fall on the red field of battle:
Unarmed as was Christ, with the soul of a Tell,
He hath fallen for Freedom! My country! “'tis well!”
“It is well!” he hath lifted the standard full oft
?Around which true spirits might rally,
And sounded the tocsin of war for the Right,
?In Kansas o'er mountain and valley:
By voice and by pen he rang Liberty's bell,—
He hath fallen for Freedom! Great West! “It is well!”
“It is well!” he hath gone in his manhood's fair prime,
?While brightly his future was dawning;
But oh! we will hope that an angel was Death
?To show him the gleam of life's morning!
Then hush vain regrets in each bosom that swell,
He hath fallen for Freedom! O God! “it is well!
Though darkened the home of his loved ones to-day;
?Though tears dim their eyes, love attesting;
And heavy the stroke upon one widowed heart,—
?On God are they all sweetly resting.
With the ransomed our country's brave martyrs shall dwell:
He hath fallen for Freedom! Our Father! “'tis well!”