Classic Poem

Oh , sight of horror! lo, the midnight stars
Grow dim, as war's smoke slowly upward goes, —
Not smoke of warfare waged in Honor's sight,
But unprovoked assault on unarmed foes.

The loyal friends of Freedom calmly rest
One moment on the pillow won by toil;
Then, roused by shouts, half-wakened, meet the foe,
Only to sleep again on Kansas soil.

Sleep the long sleep that knows no troubled dream,
Martyrs for Freedom! long to be revered,
Whose name shall shine on our historic page,
To whom heart-monuments shall yet be reared.

Go, look upon that scene, by artist hand
Now pencilled on the glowing canvas there,
Then vow, like ancient hero, ne'er to faint
Till triumph gilds that hour of black despair.

Till martyr blood again the seed shall prove
Of Liberty through all our suffering land,
And Peace with grateful joy again is hailed
By all the States, a free and loyal band.