AMONG THE FLAGS IN DORIC HALL, MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE.
Reading edition
Dear witnesses, all luminous, eloquent, Stacked thickly on the tesselated floor! The soldier-blood stirs in me, as of yore In sire and grandsire who to battle went: I seem to know the shaded valley tent, The armed and bearded men, the thrill of war, Horses that prance to hear the cannon roar, Shrill bugle-calls, and camp-fire merriment. And as fair symbols of heroic things, Not void of tears mine eyes must e’en behold These banners lovelier as the deeper marred: A panegyric never writ for kings On every tarnished staff and tattered fold; And by them, tranquil spirits standing guard.