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Arms And The Man. - The Ancient Enemies.

Topics: classic

Brave was the foeman! well he held his ground!     But here defeat at kindred hands he found!     The shafts rained on him, in a righteous cause,     Came from the quiver of Old England's laws!     He fought in vain; and on this spot went down     The jus divinum, and the kingly crown.     But for those scenes Time long has made amends.     The ancient enemies are present friends;     Two swords, in Massachusetts, rich in dust,     And, better still, the peacefulness of rust,     Told the whole story in its double parts     To one who lives in two great nations' hearts;     And late above Old England's roar and din     Slow-tolling bells spoke sympathy of kin:     Victoria's wreath blooms on the sleeping breast     Of him just gone to his reward and rest,     And firm and fast between two mighty Powers     New treaties live in those undying flowers.

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"Brave was the foeman! well he held his ground!..."

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