Classic Poem

Search each comrade's heart, and there,
Graven with the tenderest care,
You will find these letters three
Linked in blessed trinity, —
Honored, loved, and heeded well,
Honored more than tongue can tell, —
Golden are they — F., C., L.

Great is this Fraternity —
Brooding o'er the flight of years,
Born of love for you and me,
Born of battle and of tears;
These are they who stood the test
When the charging columns prest —
Won their fame, and are at rest

Charity! — a gracious spell
Wrought in days of doom and dread,
When they stooped to hearken well
What a dying comrade said —
For the wives and orphans far,
Shivering in the blasts of war;
For the shattered ones that are.

Loyalty! — 'twas theirs to show
What are faith and fealty,
Upward where the bugles blow
On the heights of Victory;
Upward from the gloom of night,
From the clamor of the fight,
To the blaze of Freedom's light.

Comrades — ye whose hearts are sealed
To the glorious trinity —
We our reverent homage yield,
Lift the hat and bend the knee!
Honor to whom honor's due,
Honor to the loyal Blue, —
Honor, love, from me and you!