Classic Poem

The selfsame day Lee started back to Richmond
Leaving his Army. Round him sorrowing
His soldier comrades, now disbanded, thronged.
And as their stately Leader midst them rode,
With brow uncovered and with misty eyes,
Bowing his last farewells, they stood a-hush,
Bareheaded, broken-hearted, and in tears,
Knowing that they should see his face no more;
Knowing that they should hear his voice no more.
Oh what a silence, what a line of watchers!
Oh what a weeping of strong men of war
Bidding their Hero Chief goodbye for aye!
Oh what a passing of a Mighty Captain!

Upon the morrow midst a group of Horse
Dusty from travel, downcast from defeat,
The vanquished General slowly rode away,
While all along the road the people stood —
Stood like his soldiers with deep reverence
And mournful gaze, love murmurous following
Behind his form, and prayers articulate
Ascending heavenward from the lips of Grief.

And thus he trailed the Valley of Dust and Ashes
Greeting with careworn face and sinking heart
His people whom he cherished, for whose life
His had been offered up. And thus he passed
Out from the vision of the populace
Into the sanctuary of his home.

And they, his soldiers, who had followed him
Four battle years along Secession's ways
All registered with red and tortuous tracks,
Now having bade their Chief beloved farewell,
Departed every whither, slowly back,
Back to the Father's House. And as they went
They saw the New Day dawning on the heights,
And all the Valley of Dust and Ashes breaking
To wondrous bloom and verdure 'neath their feet.

And they, his people, who had followed him,
Him and his Army likewise, though afar,
With anxious hopes, with multitudinous prayers,
From every watchtower of expectanThearts,
When his Gray Form had vanished from their sight,
And the procession turned to memory's shades,
Traversed the selfsame Valley of Dust and Ashes,
And marvelled at the music from the hills.