_By Harriet Monroe_
And, lo! leading a blessed host comes one
Who held a warring nation in his heart;
Who knew love's agony, but had no part
In love's delight; whose mighty task was done
Through blood and tears that we might walk in joy,
And this day's rapture own no sad alloy.
Around him heirs of bliss, whose bright brows wear
Palm leaves amid their laurels ever fair.
Gaily they come, as though the drum
Beat out the call their glad hearts knew so well;
Brothers once more, dear as of yore,
Who in a noble conflict nobly fell.
Their blood washed pure yon banner in the sky,
And quenched the brands laid 'neath these arches high--
The brave who, having fought, can never die.
[Illustration: PRESIDENT-ELECT LINCOLN
From a photograph taken with his Secretaries,
John G. Nicolay and John Hay,
Springfield, Illinois, 1861]
Walt Mason, born at Columbus, Ontario, May 4, 1862. Self educated.
Came to the United States 1880. Connected with the _Atchinson Globe_
1885-7, later with _Lincoln_ (Nebraska) _State Journal_ and other
papers; editorial paragrapher _Evening News_, Washington, D. C., 1893;
associated with William Allen White on _Emporia_ (Kansas) _Gazette_
since 1907. His rhymes and prose poems are widely copied in America.