Red war had sent its devastating flood,
And left a nation floundering in blood!

At Appomattox, when the war was done —
Each soldier leaning on his silent gun —

Stood Robert Lee upon that famous knoll
And bade his army sign the long parole.

The peerless chieftain keenly felt the stroke,
And to his yielding army thus he spoke:

" Brave comrades, mine, of many a well-fought field, —
Scarred veterans, the time has come to yield!

" The fates declare our bleeding cause is lost;
And prove rebellion dear at any cost!

" We fought with brothers, — men as brave as you;
In number and resources greater, too.

" My matchless soldiers ne'er defeat would know
With other cause or with another foe!

" " We lost," yon eagle screams it from the crag,
" Because we fought our country and our flag!" "
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
They laughed and cried and clasped each other's hand;
Both armies cheered a reunited land.

When foes turn friends they fight to play the host,
And war again to show which loves the most.