An Acrostic: in memory of O. Jennings Wise.
Written in California, on reading an account of the battle of Roanoke Island.
O'er his cold brow,
Just touched by time's soft, silvery tracing,
Entwine immortelles with the unfading laurel,
Nor fear the mildew of the grave will blight their fragrance,
Nor the rustle of the icy worm ‘mid its green leaves
Impair the freshness of the dead soldier's coronal.
Not for the grave is the wreath woven, but,
Glorious dust!
when the last loud reveille
Shall wake thee from thy slumbers, as one of those
Whose flitting wings reflect heaven's opening light,
In the full blaze of glory, shalt thou rise,
Soaring on high, with earth's long line of heroes,
Enwreathed with this, the patriot's fadeless crown.
