THE GRAND ARMY PASSES Behold a long procession passing proudly, And yet no glittering pomp adorns its way, Only the emblems of our States and Nation, Only the flags that floated on the day These men, our men, trod upon fields of glory;— The tattered flags that this Grand Army bore For the Republic—flags that furled and faded To their old vividness our hearts restore. The line of veterans once firm and crowded, The long, long line is wavering and thin; With faltering steps Old Age speaks mutely to them Youth marched abreast when they were mustered in. Oh, Comrades of the Campfire and the Council, Oh, Comrades who in peril won your fight! Honor to you and to your dead companions, You risked your all for Liberty and Right! Fraternity and Charity your watchwords, And Loyalty to this our own dear Land! Our flag you have, the brazen star, the eagle Undying symbols for your gallant band. Look at them, youths and maidens, as they pass you, While old-time war-tunes break upon the air, And staring crowds applaud; read ye the message That from the past these veterans nobly bear, "Our gift—the gift of Freedom to the Nation, Our great Republic would entrust to you, Cherish it fondly, keeping it untarnished, That, in the Future, looming on our view, You with the World may share your gift of Freedom." This is the message that our youth must con, While the Grand Army, answering its last roll-call And laying down life's weapons, passes on. [6] [6] THE HARVARD REGIMENT THE HARVARD REGIMENT We saw the Regiment, alert and strong, In marching line, on Soldiers' Field today, Ah! ready they to battle with the wrong;— This flower of youth—eager and brave and gay. And we, on-looking, cheered them as they passed, And we, down-heartened, prayed a silent prayer, Gazing upon them with a grim forecast, And many a sad-eyed mother watched them there. Proudly they turned, and at attention stood, Or shouldered arms while war-like music thrilled. "Alas!" we listened in unhappy mood! "Why should these boys in martial ways be skilled?" No comfort for our grieving was revealed, Until we looked across the valiant line To the old College, far beyond this Field That honors men who fell at