But yesterday--the exulting nation's shout
Swelled on the breeze of victory through our streets,
But yesterday--our banners flaunted out
Like flowers the south wind woos from their retreats;
Flowers of the nation, blue, and white, and red,
Waving from balcony, and spire, and mast;
Which told us that war's wintry storm had fled,
And spring was more than spring to us at last.
Today the nation's heart lies crushed and weak;
Drooping and draped in black our banners stand.
Too stunned to cry revenge, we scarce may speak
The grief that chokes all utterance through the land.
God is in all. With tears our eyes are dim,
Yet strive through darkness to look to Him!
No, not in vain he died--not all in vain,
Our good, great President! This people's hands
Are linked together in one mighty chain
Drawn tighter still in triple-woven bands
To crush the fiends in human masks, whose might
We suffer, oh, too long! No league, nor truce
Save men with men! The devils we must fight
With fire! God wills it in this deed. This use
We draw from the most impious murder done
Since Calvary. Rise then, O Countrymen!
Scatter these marsh-lights hopes of Union won
Through pardoning clemency. Strike, strike again!
Draw closer round the foe a girdling flame.
We are stabbed whene'er we spare--strike in God's name!
