A Father's Tribute

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I don't know what they'll put him at, or what
  his post may be;
  I cannot guess the task that waits for him across
  the sea,
  But I have known him through the years, and
  when there's work to do,
  I know he'll meet his duty well, I'll swear that
  he'll be true.

  I sometimes fear that he may die, but never that
  he'll shirk;
  If death shall want him death must go and take
  him at his work;
  This splendid sacrifice he makes is filled with
  terrors grim,
  And I have many thoughts of fear, but not one
  fear of him.

  The foe may rob my life of joy, the foe may
  take my all,
  And desolate my days shall be if he shall have to
  fall.
  But this I know, whate'er may be the grief that
  I must face,
  Upon his record there will be no blemish of
  disgrace.

  His days have all been splendid days, there lies
  no broken trust
  Along the pathway of his youth to molder in
  the dust;
  Honor and truth have marked his ways, in him
  I can be glad;
  He is as fine and true a son as ever a father had.

© Edgar Albert Guest