General John B. Gordon.

Facile Princeps. I.     O gifted one of the Sunny South, with lips so eloquent,         In whose great heart no malice e'er was found!     And now thou art a messenger of Peace, by heaven sent         On mission of fraternity, to heal the cankering wound! II.     In that dread day when fratricidal strife         Convulsed with passion--crimsoned with its blood--     No nobler son than thou who staked his life         With veterans Gray withstood the overwhelming flood! III.     No sweeter tribute could be paid by mortal tongue--         No nobler sentiment the human heart could fill--     In grander strains no poet's praises e'er were sung         Of private soldier--than thy words that burn and thrill! IV.     No treasured wrong within thy noble soul         Has tainted with its slimy trail of hate--     No broader love of country could embrace the whole,         Or bow more gracefully to iron hand of fate! V.     Speak on! And scatter broadcast healing seed         That shall a harvest of good feeling yield--     And Peace, no less than War, shall lend her meed         And crown anew this hero of the bloody field!