Classic Poem

Ye brave Columbian bands! a long farewell!
Well have ve fought for freedom—nobly done
Your martial task—the meed immortal won—
And time's last records shall your triumphs tell.

Once friendship made their cup of suff'rings sweet—
The dregs how bitter now those bands must part!
Ah! never, never more on earth to meet:
Distill'd from gall that inundates the heart,
What tears from heroes' eyes are seen to start!

Ye, too, farewell, who fell in fields of gore,
And chang'd tempestuous toil for rest serene;
Soon shall we join you on the peaceful shore,
(Though gulfs irremeable roll between)
Thither by death-tides borne, as ye full soon have been.