Classic Poem

It was Good Friday as Lee drew near Richmond
And tented for the night beside the road
Under the April stars. That April day,
That April night, — the fourteenth day and night!
Full well he knew that on that radiant noon
The valiant Anderson had proudly raised
Above Fort Sumter's ruins the Union Flag,
The selfsame Stars and Stripes Secession's hands
That very hour four years before had lowered,
Lifting into its place the Stars and Bars.
His sensive spirit heard the burning words
That rose beneath Old Glory's wind-swept folds,
The thunders of the people and the guns,
And the far echoes rolling round the world.
And somehow Lee was glad albeit he grieved;
And somehow he rejoiced despite the pain.
Such souls as know the White Battalions
Have understanding, — and Lee understood.

It was Good Friday. Oft that afternoon
His thoughts were far away at Calvary.
It was in April that the Christ was slain;
And this was April and Good Friday's dusk.
He halted for the night — historic night;
Again he saw the little knoll of death,
The throngs, the soldiers, and the Man of Sorrows
Nailed to the Cross and dying for mankind.
Through his fine soul the Angels of Remembrance
Were chanting Handel's aria, — " Behold
And see if there be any sorrow like
Unto His Sorrow! " — He was comforted.
All his afflictions seemed but as a drop
Beside the ocean of his Lord's afflictions.
The anguish of the Christ engulfed his own,
And in it he found Love's vicarious grace.
Thus passed the far day's music and its mood
Into the mood and music of his heart.
And he was comforted. In that high hour
Of contemplation of Redemption's Cross
His own took on a holy ministry,
And all the voices of his spirit cried —
" My Saviour suffered, why should not I suffer? " —
Thus on him fell God's peace. At last he slept.