Classic Poem

It was an hour of mystic consequence
When he, the Southland's soldier-son, was born
Within the historic fortress of his sires,
Palatial " Stratford House " of Old Virginia,
In the same chamber where his kinsmen twain
First opened eyes upon Westmoreland's hills, —
Famed Richard Henry Lee securely called
" The Orator of the American Revolution, "
And Francis Lightfoot Lee, his brother famed,
Both of that circle of illustrious ones
Who signed the Declaration of Independence.

He came from stock whose chivalrous ancestry
Linked with proud Lancelot and Lionel Lee, —
Lords of the Conqueror and Lion-Heart Richard —
And Robert Bruce, victor of Bannockburn.

True Cavaliers were they who built the House
Of Lee on Southern soil. From Britain's shores
They sailed when darkness wrapped the Stuart throne
And Ironside warriors trod her halls of state.
Yet when arose the cry against high wrongs
In days Colonial, they were champions
Of Independence and the Revolution.

Chief of Westmoreland's Knights of Liberty
Was he the brave and gifted Henry Lee,
Favorite of Washington since he was child
Of Washington's first Love, " The Lowland Beauty, "
Both dear to the great Patriot, — she in days
Of winsome maidenhood stirring his heart;
And he, long afterward, by youthful feats,
Master of Cavalry, " Lee's Legion " named,
A storm equestrian, a whirlwind hoofed,
Turning the General's earlier thoughts of love
To worthy joy and hope in her brave son.
He was his stay at Valley Forge, his pride
As Governor of Virginia, and not least,
His frequent comfort 'neath Mount Vernon's roof.
And when " The Father of his Country " died,
'Twas " Light-Horse Harry " at request of Congress
Pronounced the high eulogium o'er the dead
Of " First in War " and all that sweetly follows.
'Twere strange if something of that knightliness
Passed not in power from father unto son.

Anne Carter, Shirley's heiress! She it was
Who added wealth to wealth and fame to fame,
And lineal noble blood to noble blood,
And Robert Edward to the House of Lee.
'Twas breast maternal served him loftily
The glorious kindredship of Scotland's crown.

The fineness, gentleness and courtesy,
Chivalric temper, courage, generous sense
Of intellect and social privilege
Of goodly parents and their mutual worth,
Mixed in their stately son of destiny.

Sweet Mary Custis, bride of Arlington,
Great-grand-daughter of Martha Washington!
She brought him large estates and social grace;
She brought him wedlock's perfect comradeship,
What generous man may claim of generous woman, —
Faith's watchings along duty's tortuous ways,
Hope's cheerings up ambition's steep ascents,
Love's comfortings with understanding soul
Upon the heights of vision isolate.
She brought him children, wifehood's priceless gift.
So by her grace, enriched with fatherhood,
He knew the embracing Fatherhood of God.