LIBRAR^OF CONGI^SS. 
 
 Chap Cop)^-id^ No.. 
 
 Slielf..r..>jLy 7j 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
yHE y LYSSIAD 
 
 .A V e 1 
 
 "^J a" 
 
 ' — ; AN ' — ' y .^ 
 
 American Epic 
 
 ■k BV •- 
 
 E. M. Souvielle, 
 
 (Author of "Sequel to The Parliament of Religions, etc.") 
 
 
 V^. 
 
 \^ivl-^"^ 
 
 JACKSONVILLE, FLA.: 
 DACOSTA PBINTINO AND PUBLISHING HOUSE, 
 
 1896 
 
Copyright, 
 
 By E. M. Souvielle. 
 
 [All Rights Resei-ved. 
 
 1896. 
 
PREFACE, 
 
 The Truth is always beautiful, and though far 
 sought and much desired, it frequently dwells un- 
 noticed close at hand. 
 
 Heroism is the world's most cherished idol, and 
 tales of heroes of old make youthful hearts glow with 
 admiration, yet the ideal seems too far away for em- 
 ulation, and golden opportunity comes but to the 
 few. 
 
 That heroes have lived in this day and in this 
 land have died, no one denies, yet why should the 
 soul which is fired with ardor at the story of Troy 
 pass over the seige of Richmond only as a cold, hard 
 fact of the present. 
 
 'Tis because Homer has told in thrilling num- 
 bers of the heroes of Troy who shine in their own 
 personalities. 'Tis not fallen Troy but Priam and 
 Hector, Aggamemnon and Achilles, Ulysses and 
 Nestor, whose deeds enthrall and whose woes the ages 
 share. 
 
 It is a duty to the age to recognize the romance 
 of the living present. 
 
Camouens, the Virgil of Portugal, celebrated an 
 event of his time. 
 
 Tasso sung of the age which immediately pre- 
 ceeded his own. 
 
 Virgil recorded the fables which passed for the 
 veritable history of his country. 
 
 Homer probably met in his youth aged men 
 who had know^i the heroes of the Trojan war. 
 
 " What should more please in Homer is, that 
 the foundation of his work is not a romance ; that the 
 characters are not of his imagining ; that he paints 
 men such as they were, with all their qualities, and 
 that his poem is a monument of the customs of those 
 ancient ages." 
 
 So in The Ulyssiad is told the story of the hero 
 — the man, as his acts revealed him; nor is anything 
 exaggerated, and the dramatic tale, which is almost 
 a tragedy, hath this merit, that 
 
 IT IS TRUE. 
 
The Ulyssiad. 
 
 INVOCATION. 
 
 OME, gracious Inspiration, guide my lay, 
 Come hither, come nor question nor delay ; 
 Come even unto me, enrich my thought, 
 Come not reluctant, come as though unsought. 
 Give equal wing that wearied not in flight, 
 But loftily sustained, may pass in might 
 The song of ages. Prove heroic feats 
 Of olden days the present rival meets; 
 But romance dies when tuneful muses sliglit, 
 And knightly deeds eulogium invite. 
 
 Come, herald forth in living verse a name, 
 
 Defender of America; while fame 
 
 Afar resounding, echoing round the earth 
 
Exultant tolls when gentleness and worth 
 In living heroes, living virtues plead, 
 Then due is rendered all of honor's mead. 
 
 Oh, sing the life which grandeur real adorns ; 
 Ideal embellishment from fable scorns ; 
 Which proves that sprites and elves no more 
 
 enslave 
 In immaterial bonds the great and brave; 
 And courage, fortitude and valor bold 
 As brightly shine as ere the}^ shone of old. 
 So yields the admiration at behest 
 Of every noble deed, or wrong redressed, 
 And little needs the Truth a bright attire ; 
 Its innate beauties glorify, inspire; 
 No zeal an altar adequate can raise; 
 No armour can defend or thought can praise : 
 While mythological adornments vain 
 The simple virtues seek not to attain. 
 Like Odyssey surpassing modern lines, 
 America's Ulysses, bright, outshines 
 
The valiant hero Homer's verse enshrined, 
 
 New imaged risen yet in Grant refined. 
 
 Then ever sing the bard for truth's sweet sake, 
 
 And let poetic justice now awake; 
 
 Let lofty honor charm in sentence terse. 
 
 And eloquence sublime adorn the verse. 
 
THE TRUMPETSo 
 
 Though "Man proposes, God disposes " all, 
 Nor chance exists, nor chaos can befall. 
 
 The days were dark, strife brooded o'er the land; 
 Suspicion frowned in ambush on each hand; 
 Fair peace destroyed, hope fled dismayed and faint ; 
 Confusion rampant reigned nor brooked restraint ; 
 While armies here, and armies there amassed 
 War panoplied, the nation stood aghast ; 
 Its trembling life within the balance hung, 
 None dared to act, with every nerve unstrung 
 In horrible suspense, as calm precedes 
 The bursting storm, when forth the signal speeds 
 From out the West as clouds by thunder riven, 
 "I take Fort Henry, witli permission given." 
 With "U. S. Grant" the mystic message ends, 
 The signature perplexity but lends. 
 
 On Washington it i'ell, as scarce believed, 
 Its import with its warning unpreceived, 
 
As first the rumble of the gale is borne 
 By distance softened and of terror shorn. 
 
 Once more it flashed — the second time it spoke— 
 Nor yet the anxious capitol awoke. 
 
 Then o'er the land and thrilling every vein 
 The harbinger of war resounds again. 
 
 At chivalry's behest in royal lists 
 The ready champion from the fray desists 
 Till thrice the trumpets with defiance blare, 
 And signal for the onset to prepare. 
 
 So thrice this monitor the nation heard; 
 The coming combat expectation stirred. 
 
 Now every voice the fateful question raised, 
 "From whence this oracle concisely phrased; 
 And whose the daring heart that calm concieves 
 
10 
 
 A purpose firm — au action which relieves 
 
 The dread incertitude; what means the name, 
 Ambiguous and strange, unknown to fame? 
 The nation paused to Hsten while reveals 
 The mystery this man of deeds conceals. 
 
11 
 
 YOUTIHIS SPRINOTIIME, 
 
 In sixteen thirty to Atlantic's shore, 
 
 Unwilling winds adverse, rebellious bore 
 
 A hardy crew, whose frail and trembling bark 
 
 The ocean traversed struggling. Men of mark 
 
 Were they, and safe undaunted crossed the sea, 
 
 For more than kings were destined yet to be 
 
 Their sons unborn, as year on year succeeds 
 
 By patience crowned and graced by valiant deeds. 
 
 The eighth in generation through one line 
 Of these stern pioneers whose bold ensign 
 A continent subdued, Ohio claims 
 Her noblest child, his country's son and fame's. 
 
 In budding April, eighteen twenty -two. 
 
 The twenty-seventh, sweet May was almost due, 
 
 When nature's early promises abound, 
 
 Point Pleasant's quiet hamlet, hence renowned, 
 
 A new Ulysses welcomed. 
 
12 
 
 From that day 
 That chance controls events none ere can say, 
 Or names are meaningless and lightly fall 
 As fall the dewdrops eqnally on all. 
 
 Here rudiments of learning he acquired, 
 And patriotism, imagination fired. 
 In boyish gnmes he reveled. Winter wild 
 With lancies weird entranced the jt)yous child. 
 While summer's coming brought its meed of toil 
 Whose needful gifts accords the generous soil. 
 With steeds untamed in sport he fearless plays: 
 A sturdy strong physique the youth repays. 
 
 When seventeen seasons thus had o'er him wrought, 
 His father said "Ulysses, 'tis my thought 
 Appointment honored you will soon attain." 
 Uly.sses then, "And wlial a[)[.ointment gain ?" 
 
 Rejoincil his sire "Th' ai)pointment you will win 
 To West Point's sheltering walls and discipline." 
 
13 
 
 "I will not go,"' were stout Ulysses terms; 
 ''I think you will," liis father mild contirms; 
 And from that hour of hut one mind were they; 
 So parent's judgment should the sons obey. 
 
 Successfully he passed what much he feared, 
 And hence among the nation's sons endeared, 
 His name enrolled marked him one set apart, 
 Who at his country's call, to arms should start. 
 
 His first encampment on the college ground 
 With quick assembling at the bugle sound, 
 Gave foretaste of the future's hidden store 
 Of stern experience and battle's roar. 
 
 That grand review, from memory not elfaced, 
 By presence of colossal Scott was graced; 
 Whose showy uniform and gallant mien, 
 Ulysses viewing as the corps convene, 
 Was strange impressed, while there before him 
 changed 
 
14 
 
 The pageant, and the scene was rearranged. 
 
 Himself the General reviewing passed 
 
 Great hosts on hosts in warlike squadrons massed. 
 
 The vision fled, reality demands 
 
 His thought again, and in the ranks he stands, 
 
 Yet more oppressed for that brief interval 
 
 In order of events implacable, 
 
 Whose course, the sweep of time relentless holds, 
 
 To eager youth's desire but slow unfolds. 
 
 While after years too swiftly pass away 
 
 From manhood's prime, and riper age would stay. 
 
 Four lagging years unrolled, the course was run, 
 The drear probation o'er and rank was won. 
 
 Assigned to Infantry now first he served. 
 Though not of choice, yet fate for him reserved 
 In those St. Louis barracks should be learned 
 
15 
 
 Life's sweetest charm. By Cupid led, he turned 
 Where answering tones responded to his voice, 
 Where heart met heart and love first bid rejoice. 
 
 Thence when he roved, his Julians love attends 
 To every hardship, hope and solace lends; 
 Her sympathy his faithful guiding star 
 Which trials could not change nor absence mar. 
 
 So this Ulysses gained Penelope 
 As he of Homer's famous Odyssey. 
 
16 
 
 INVASION. 
 
 But now war's trumpet sounds tbe loud alarm 
 And on to ]\Iexico the legions swarm. 
 
 The Colorado gained, the Rio Grande 
 Was reached, and Palo Alto saw them stand 
 The brunt of battle ; fierce the fight around 
 Resaca de la Raima's marshy ground. 
 
 Across the Rio Grande conveyed at last 
 The valiant Army of Invasion passed. 
 
 Camargo fell, and lofty Monterey 
 
 Where brave Ulysses nobly saved the day. 
 
 The stores of war exhausted, powder spent, 
 Who volunteered the risk and gave consent? 
 Ulysses mounted then his horse with speed, 
 Swift seized the guiding rein and dared the deed. 
 
17 
 
 A leg- and arm upon his courser threw, 
 Concealed and sheltered down the street he Hew. 
 
 Ere enemies could aim, the charger gained 
 Protecting walls, and lightning pace maintained 
 Till succor reached and friendly arms received, 
 The day was won and Monterey relieved. 
 
 Then Buena Vista, but three days' delays, 
 Nor wall of Vera Cruz tlie force dismays. 
 
 Not towering Cerro Gordo's cliffs withstand 
 Well-planned surprise, at Scott's o'erwhelming hand. 
 
 O'er mountains high the troops as eagles soar, 
 Mctorious legions o'er the chasms pour. 
 The Army of Invasion conquering sped. 
 And Santa Anna van(|uished, frightened fled. 
 
 He stands again on Churubusco's fields 
 Severest battle ere the spoils he yields. 
 
18 
 
 Molino, named del Rey, the next assaults 
 
 The ardent force of Scott, nor long he halts 
 
 For threatening, high Chapultepec dark frowned, 
 
 Whose twice-gained fort commanded all the ground ; 
 
 And doubly guarded Mexico awaits 
 
 Her fate from twofold columns at her gates. 
 
 Ulysses holds command and way contends 
 Where strong San Cosme well her cause defends. 
 
 Pursuing thus his course he quick descries 
 The belfry of a church attain the skies; 
 Then, acting at the thought its height suggests, 
 Transports a mountain howitzer, nor rests 
 Till at its entrance well secured with locks 
 He stands impatient of delay and knocks. 
 
 A priest politely opening, inquired 
 
 His urgent will and what his soul desired ? 
 
19 
 
 To him Ulysses. 
 
 " Entrance to the tower 
 I must demand, tor pregnant is the hour." 
 
 " And would yon violate these precincts strict, 
 And holy church with horrid war afilict?" 
 The priest inquired. 
 
 Ulysses firm replied : 
 " The trade of surging war's relentless tide. 
 No separation or distinction holds 
 When might unchecked requires, the riglit it moulds. 
 So we shall enter here." 
 
 The Priest recedes, 
 But ere with tread unwilling he proceeds 
 To guard the sacred altar's treasures rare 
 The voltigeurs had passed the belfry stair. 
 
 The ready gun was charged and, quickly trained. 
 Destruction wild on doomed San Cosme rained. 
 
20 
 
 Soon consteraatiou seized the foeman ranks — 
 " What enemy above in air outflanks? " 
 
 By superstitious terrors now unnerved 
 
 Their valor faltered and their courage swerved ; 
 
 As when at Ilion Minerva fought, 
 
 And for Ulysses heavenly marvels wrought. 
 
 " What hand effective and wliat stalwart heart 
 As from the heavens can such aid impart, 
 And dealing deatli within the fortress walls 
 With sudden fright the enemy appalls? 
 
 " Bring ([uick to me the man," said General Worth, 
 " In whose suggestive mind this thought had birth." 
 
 So comes Ulysses at the Chief's command, 
 Who.se generous praise rewards the aid he i)lanned. 
 And with enshrouding night whose shades concealed. 
 Fell Santa Anna vani.shed from the field. 
 
21 
 
 The npxt day's sun arose on Mexico 
 
 Again the conquest of a foreign foe; 
 
 And Montezuma's halls once more resound 
 
 To martial tread ; exulting trumpets sound ; 
 
 Victorious th' invading army takes 
 
 This favored city of majestic lakes. 
 
 No violence, no treachery befell 
 
 The fallen nation which were shame to tell. 
 
 With generous rule — authority discreet — 
 The conquerors a hostile people meet, 
 Till peace proclaimed and boundaries defined, 
 A purchased province by the foe resigned, 
 And Guadalupe Hidalgo's league assured 
 Possession which triumphant war secured. 
 
 Now hasted brave Ul3'sses where awaits 
 His Julia for his coming, and debates 
 Not long with fate propitious, which requites 
 The toilsome past, and love their lives unites. 
 
22 
 
 DEFENCE, 
 
 Then slow succeeding uneventful fled 
 A score of years, and more, when armies led 
 By brothers face each other, and deride ; 
 With arguments the cannon's mouth replied. 
 
 Ulysses for defence his sword unsheathes 
 
 And onward where the smoke of battle wreathes 
 
 The gory plain he fights his gallant way ; 
 
 Nor envy nor perplexing times delay 
 
 His high advance, till silent and astute 
 
 As General, the eager hosts salute. 
 
 Soon o'er the land one name contention stilled, 
 " Fort Donclson is ours," the nation thrilled, 
 And " Unconditional Surrender" Grant 
 No foes could move nor rivals e'er supplant. 
 
 Now victory on victory renewed, 
 
 The trembling nation with bright hope imbued, 
 
23 
 
 Till Vicksburg, strong entrenched and fortified 
 On Mississippi's banks his arms denied. 
 
 As prompt in council, and in action bold 
 So patient he besieged the foe's stronghold. 
 
 Though floods opposed and nature hostile frowned 
 
 The hero willed, what perseverance crowned, 
 
 And Vicksburg fell while ringing through and 
 
 through 
 The wondering land his name a watchword grew. 
 
24 
 
 RESCUE, 
 
 Then brief ensued inaction forced, for foes 
 No more combat, nor seeking could disclose 
 The lurking legions which his front annoy, 
 But vanish when his troops in ranks deploy. 
 
 Now loomed the issues on the Tennessee 
 Where union battled for supremacy; 
 Where Lookout Mountain proud the clouds defied 
 And threatening towered, its strength with foes al- 
 lied. 
 
 Entrenched to East, to South and West impend 
 Their waiting guns; while these, within contend, 
 Another, fiercer and more dreaded hand, 
 Gaunt famine, which no barriers withstand; 
 In narrowing bounds, by greater force opposed 
 The army of the Cumberland was closed. 
 
25 
 
 "Ulysses to the rescue," cries the land. 
 He quick responds and with sui)rcnie command 
 Upon him thrust, where dangers new disclose 
 And duty calls, he, crowned with conquest goes. 
 
 Where Tennessee's broad curving river coursed 
 Behold the host by One Man reinforced. 
 
 His active genius now transformed, arranged, 
 And nothing save the landscape left unchanged. 
 
 While confidence with succor had returned 
 
 With courage gained, for swift advance they burned. 
 
 Victorious again his banner waved. 
 Whose magic spell but brief the foeman braved; 
 Beleaguered Chattanooga's strait relieved 
 Ulysses' signal triumph was achieved. 
 
26 
 
 Two armies now were vanquished by his power; 
 But Eastward dark the clouds of battle glower, 
 And menacing o'er Washington portend; 
 Tlie nation calls her hero to defend. 
 
 Lieutenant-General the armies hailed 
 
 The man wliom fortune loved nor conquest failed; 
 
 Who quite unmoved in council as in field, 
 
 As soldier or as statesman could not yield. 
 
 Intrepid grown, his country's hope upreared 
 The chieftain born to lead them had appeared. 
 
 To West and South obeying his behest, 
 The willing legions marched; where'er contest 
 Was opposition armed; meanwhile attends 
 The waiting nation what the future sends. 
 
27 
 
 A world looks on, with frieuds and foemen too 
 To see what this strange silent man would do. 
 
 As gathering squadrons for the fray prepare 
 Each moment's urgency demands his care. 
 
 Deliberate his plans he constitutes, 
 With lightning speed of genius executes. 
 
 Now face contestants on whose arms the fate 
 Acknowledged rests of concord in the state. 
 
 But preparation, trial yet had chanced, 
 Their chosen leaders scarce to rank advanced; 
 The armies no essay of strength had tried 
 Nor either feared what force must soon decide. 
 
 Here veterans to veterans appealed; 
 
 The sons of sunny lands their homes would shield; 
 
 A cause deemed sacred gather to sustain 
 
 And independent, separate, maintain. 
 
28 
 
 The other force, a firm determined baud 
 For constitution and for union stand. 
 
 While these, victorious laurels decorate 
 
 Those stood dispirited and desperate; 
 
 While knowing well that time no hope could lend 
 
 And served a fruitless struggle to extend. 
 
 At length they turned and proud request present 
 For succor in their need, but none relent, 
 Nor in a brothers feud would dare befriend, 
 And so they looked no more but braved the end. 
 
 The hour was come and swift the summons ran 
 Uh'^sses is across the Rapidan; 
 And battling through the Wilderness they surged; 
 The blood of heroes marked each step they urged; 
 Though here and there a gallant stand delayed, 
 While stout attack the onset briefly stayed, 
 Yet like a tide, whose slow encroaching waves 
 Successive follow, each intruding laves 
 
29 
 
 And higher swells along the pebl)ly shore, 
 So on Ulysses' stanch battalions pour. 
 
 The strength of Fredericksburg entrenched they 
 
 hold , 
 And Spottsylvania's four streams enfold; 
 
 Pamunkey's banks scarce interrupt their course 
 
 Advancing ever with resistless force, 
 
 Till Richmond's battlements defence bestow 
 
 Upon a hoptless and disheartened foe; 
 
 Whose land was desolate, resistance vain, 
 
 Whose cause was lost, whose sons were useless slain. 
 
 And now proud Richmond stood as Troy of old 
 Defying this Ulysses' legions bold. 
 
 Fair Helen stolen, Menelaus wronged, 
 Gave first incentive for the war prolonged 
 Which Greek on Trojan unrelenting waged, 
 
30 
 
 Till other issues vitally engaged, 
 
 Whose complex enmities could not afford 
 
 A gentler arbitration than the sword. 
 
 Less tangible a cause here first invoked; 
 The horrid sacrifice of blood provoked; 
 And brothers to a deadly strife impelled 
 Till union arms triumphant peace compelled. 
 
 What flimsy phantom, or what beauty rare, 
 Or wily tempter snail the onus bear 
 Of civil conflict, whose Medusa head, 
 With cruel hatred and with terrors dread, 
 Transforms the heart, the reason overturns 
 And friends and kindred but as foes discerns. 
 
 Will time unfold or searching e'er reveal 
 What causes vague, unfathomed, still conceal 
 In shadows, deeply veiled from human sense 
 Mysterious the logic of events? 
 
31 
 
 A thousand gentle rivulets converge 
 Before the mighty torrents downward surge; 
 Yet, born of one, the impulse onward sweeps 
 Till merged and lost in boundless ocean deeps. 
 
 So, moulded by surroundings, slow unroll ' 
 The incidents of time's unending scroll. 
 
 These, each to other wed no hindrance know, 
 Nor less relentless pause as on they flow, 
 Determining the fates which nations guide 
 And o'er the destinies of men preside; 
 At last complete, a single circlet gain 
 Fast bound in history's unfinished chain. 
 
 O'er Richmond and A^irginia, winter's snow 
 Now falling masked its fields of blood and woe. 
 Where brethren fought; yet scarcely stayed for 
 
 breath 
 The hosts heroic, while swift dealing death 
 And war's destruction e'er them darkening frowned, 
 
32 
 
 Above, around, by Boreas' hand unbound 
 The frost and cold, their wonted strife begun 
 Contend obliquely with the genial sun. 
 
 But when returning Spring caressed the earth 
 With gentle dews and gave the flowers birth, 
 While quickening nature answered to its spell 
 Then Petersburg surrendered, Richmond fell. 
 
 Here met two men who once in war had served 
 
 A common cause, their country's will, nor swerved. 
 
 Obedient to duty's mandate bowed, 
 
 Yet now encountered, with command endowed 
 
 Of mighty forces, which in sentiment 
 
 Antagonized ideas represent. 
 
 The elder veteran in silent pride 
 Whose countenance impassable denied 
 The subject of his thought to other eyes, 
 \\'as come to abdicate and yield the prize 
 By war bestowed, and victory confest, 
 
33 
 
 Whose emblematic laurels fit, invest 
 
 His younger comrade of more happy days 
 
 Whom foemen hence admire and nations praise. 
 
 Ulysses great of heart and purpose firm 
 His will declares in no ambiguous term. 
 
 Implacable in combat, he dictates 
 Conditions of the peace, he consuiilmates. 
 
 The hero bold whom opposition steels, 
 In triumph yet no exaltation feels; 
 His generous nature quick resumes it sway 
 When his loved country all its sons obey. 
 
 While sadness and depression occupy 
 The pensive soul whose honors multiply, 
 The downfall of a foe who valiant fought 
 And suffered long, in him no gladness wrought. 
 But nobler pity and compassion deigned 
 The hero calm, whom gentleness constrained. 
 
34 
 
 So Grant and Lee are met, extend the hand 
 
 In friendly greeting with demeanor bland, 
 
 And pleasant reminiscence claimed their thought, 
 
 Meanwhile the moment so with import fraught 
 
 Forgetful passed till harsh before them rose 
 
 The fateful present, whose stern needs dispose. 
 
 The victor to the vanquished instant gave 
 Parole and freedom: thus the great and brave 
 Know mercy's power to hold what force procures; 
 Nor only this. Ulysses' hand assures 
 Effective succor which he free bestows 
 Upon the starving legions of his foes. 
 
 O'er Appomattox peace that eve decends 
 With l)rooding night and civil warfare ends. 
 
 In council gathered now the nation's seers 
 Attend the coming hero, who appears 
 The whole victorious story to rehearse 
 Though few his words, significant and terse. 
 
35 
 
 The counsellors amazed, loud deprecate 
 
 His lofty course, nor justly estimate 
 
 The statesmanship, with prescience rare arrayed, 
 
 Ullysses wise with dignity displayed. 
 
 The chief of war determined to refuse 
 The terms pacific; faithlessly abuse 
 The hero's pledge, too generous to foes; 
 Exasperated grand Ulysses rose, 
 While noble rage and indignation flame 
 And every glance repudiates the shame. 
 
 Then loudly clanged his sword upon the floor, 
 The sword which unto freedom oped the door 
 That millions there might enter, nor delayed 
 His voice in vigorous protest to upbraid. 
 
 " My word pronounced would you thus violate, 
 The conquering general humiliate 
 Before the trusting foe, and armies vast 
 Which followed him and unto triumph passed? 
 
36 
 
 The issue of this hour events attend 
 
 My sword the peace has won and shall defend. 
 
 To break the word I gave a vanquished foe, 
 Alone o'er my dead body shall you go." 
 
 Abashed they stood, another battlefield 
 Ulysses had engraven on his shield. 
 
37 
 
 TRIUMPH, 
 
 The sun of Maj' advancing lights a scene 
 Of brilHancy where valiant troops convene, 
 And numberless proud Washington invest; 
 The capital besiege at joy's behest; 
 While salvos of artillery salute 
 With wild applause they hail, no voice was mute, 
 Victorious peans gladsome trumpets sound 
 And marshalled hosts encumber all the ground. 
 
 Two days returning light scarce equal proved 
 To view them pass; the hero stood unmoved, 
 And at the summit of his triumph knew, 
 The youthful dreaming of his first review 
 Was true presentiment, prophetic spoke, 
 And brief to him the hidden future woke. 
 
 Now in fulfillment brave Ulysses hears 
 The plaudits of his country; mighty cheers 
 
38 
 
 His name evokes while serried ranks deploy 
 Before their leader with tumultous joy; 
 
 The leader wdiose great genius towering soared 
 To rarer heights when loud the battle roared, 
 Yet silent grew and thoughtful, scarce desired 
 The glory and reward his deeds inspired. 
 
39 
 
 As in the zenith of the dome of day 
 
 The golden sun reposing seems to stay 
 
 His onward course, Ulysses gained the heights 
 
 The pinnacle of fame his toil requites, 
 
 While eight bright years he holds the reins of power, 
 
 And calmly rules the land in doubtful hour, 
 
 The land his sword had saved disruption dire 
 
 And union sealed secure with blood and fire. 
 
 ''Let us have peace," the warrior-statesman said, 
 "Enough the land has wept, enough has bled." 
 
 At last, grown weary of the cares of State, 
 No fields to win, or dangers to abate, 
 No threat'ning foe, or crisis to forefend. 
 While controversies of the law attend. 
 Around the world by stately train convoyed 
 The hero journeying his ease employed. 
 
40 
 
 The monarchs of a globe his coming hailed, 
 Nor ardent welcome e'er his presence failed. 
 
 While Queens rejoice to honor, realms applaud. 
 And Kings delight but to admire and laud. 
 
 The flags of every nation waved him fair, 
 AVHiile cannon thundered salvos in the air; 
 
 In orand salute assembled voices raise 
 Triumphant peans of spontaneous praise. 
 
 As once the Greek Ulysses wandering earned 
 But added dignities, nor any spurned, 
 So this proceeds on his illustrious way ; 
 No wicked charms his onward course delay, 
 No bold Calypso dares his will defy. 
 Nor tempting grottoes his return deny. 
 
 No hostile Neptune rears the mountain waves 
 Ulysses to engulf; no Naiad saves; 
 
41 
 
 Secure he sails while honors unconstrained 
 And modest dwell familiar, entertained 
 As other men with calm accommodate 
 The every day experiences of fate. 
 
 From clime to clime through Orient isles he strayed, 
 The manners of three continents surveyed. 
 Yet still his native land his heart enchained 
 And bright within the love of country reigned. 
 
 As Homer's valorous hero once of yore 
 Returning yearned for Ithaca's dear shore, 
 So yearned for home this man with laurel crowned 
 Not less than Csesar great nor less renowned. 
 
 But Csesar fell, and falling stands accused 
 Of those ambitions tyranny abused. 
 
 Not thus Ulysses sought imperial power, 
 Nor aimed to rule beyond th'elected hour; 
 Then glad, to other hands the State assigned, 
 Like Cincinuatus to the plow resigned. 
 
42 
 
 What horrid spectre dow with doom o'ershades, 
 The sacred circle of his home invades 
 With Hydra head relentless nor retires, 
 Though science rare contests, and love desires? 
 
 Shall all that can befall or fate contrive, 
 His valor challenge and behold him strive? 
 
 Is his decreed a marked peculiar life. 
 And each elapsing stage with battle rife? 
 
 The sterner field of suffering he views 
 Immediate; can courage now refuse 
 To face the enemy whom none subdue 
 But, knowing, dread, and ever vainly rue? 
 
 By fell disease the citadel betrayed. 
 
 The stronghold of his life the foes invade; 
 
43 
 
 While outwork after outwork brave resists 
 Yet steadily, unchecked, advance persists. 
 
 So then the task elected, he essayed 
 To tell his moving story, nor delayed; 
 In patient pain the pen of history held; 
 To quivering nerves obedience compelled; 
 That truth might prosper, justice dwell on earth, 
 And calumny be smothered in its birth. 
 
44 
 
 C0NCLU5I0N» 
 
 He told his tale, and simply, truly, told; 
 Here meted praise, and here a friend extolled; 
 While there he fearlessly and bold denounced 
 And criticism candidly pronounced. 
 
 No station proved a bar when deeds deserved 
 From justice censure, or fi'om honor swerved. 
 
 Himself now helpless in the fatal power 
 Of pallid death encroaching hour by liour, 
 With fortitude foreseen, who shall declare 
 That courage here displayed, in equal share 
 On fields of carnage, clearer, brighter, shone. 
 Than when he met the foeman grim, alone? 
 
45 
 
 FALLEN, 
 
 At last he, ViiiKiuishcil, falls, by inches yields, 
 Who led victorious hosts on many fields. 
 
 A proud mausoleum his country gives 
 To tell the years, in memory he lives; 
 Though on heights of Riverside he sleeps 
 Where curves the Hudson in majestic sweeps; 
 Where pallisade and clilJ' the scene adorn; 
 Where roll the mighty tides of ocean born; 
 Where nature bountiful around unfolds 
 Superbly grand, and like a temple holds 
 The warrior loved, while, gracious to attend, 
 The plaudits of a world harmonious blend. 
 
 On every side the noisy streams of life 
 
 Unthinking pass, intent on daily strife, 
 
 Or pressing needs, yet here the hero dwells 
 
 Who naught surrenders save when death compells. 
 
46 
 
 CHARACTERo 
 
 His nature held fraternally combined, 
 A dauntless courage and a generous mind, 
 For never noble hearts an entrance cede 
 To qualities innately disagreed. 
 
 As seek in social bonds the souls allied, 
 And men but in their fellows can confide, 
 So ever bide in mutual support 
 Within the worthy breast a royal court 
 In unison attuned, which constitutes 
 An altruism of its attributes. 
 
 Of old when valor was approved by fame 
 'Twas ever coupled with Ulysses' name. 
 
 Or honor brilliant shone through terrors tried, 
 'Twas in Laertes son personified. 
 
47 
 
 These, new associate, rejoice secure 
 Affiauced in Ulysses to endure. 
 
 Ulysses, who to conquer peace discerned 
 And when achieved in gentle mercy turned 
 Where vanquished legions waited his decree 
 By trembling dread oppressed, nor dared to flee. 
 
 When Lee his arms surrendering withdraws, 
 Nor hostile force withstands the union laws, 
 The conqueror magnanimous rewards, 
 The emblematic olive branch accords; 
 The bond of peace inviolate he seals, 
 The hand of friendship eloquent appeals. 
 
 Henceforth these two in amity disclose 
 Sincerely friends who valiantly were foes. 
 
 The hands they linked no power can separate, 
 With Grant is Lee secure associate, 
 
48 
 
 Their names united talismanic stand 
 
 As emblems worthy of the new wed land. 
 
 For this the conqueror alone conceived, 
 His heart unfolded and his hand achieved. 
 
 The other acted equal generous part 
 And with his arms surrendered all his heart. 
 
 No olden warriors so a peace conclude 
 Where enmity nor malice can intrude; 
 Where two opposed, in duty's name enlist 
 Pursue consistently and stern persist; 
 The end attained its power still confess 
 As utmost arbiter, and acquiesce. 
 
 Where brothers' hatred wounded, vain uprears. 
 And with the smoke of combat disappears. 
 
.49 
 
 PENELOPE, 
 
 Ulysses, born in Ithaca, the fair, 
 
 His realm abandoned with the Greeks to share 
 
 The long anticipated spoils of Troy, 
 
 Which vengeful Neptune hasted to destroy,- 
 
 To wise Penelope his realm resigned, 
 
 Penelope the faithful, honored, kind. 
 
 No less Ulysses knew his Julia's worth ; 
 
 No less her name is honored o'er the earth ; 
 
 With him his early trials brave she bore, 
 
 With him she reigned, triumphant honors wore ; 
 
 To him the best and nearest ally proved 
 
 When suffering the land to reverence moved. 
 
 Less happy than Penelope of yore 
 
 To her fond hope Ulysses comes no ijiore. 
 
50 
 
 So let liim rest, no longer child of time ; 
 The ages challenge his renown sublime ; 
 
 No ancient heroes may his valor pale, 
 Nor side by side upon him will prevail; 
 
 While chivahy its deeds to him condones, 
 And generosity but proudl}^ owns ; 
 Sincerity nor truth by him are shamed ; 
 No enemies denounce, nor friend has blamed ; 
 
 His calmness danger could not jeopardize, 
 Nor battle's wild excitement compromise. 
 
 This silent soldier of the West proceeds 
 And all his path grows eloquent in deeds. 
 
51 
 
 PANEGYRIC 
 
 The valiant hero of the struggle towers 
 
 Above the mists where dismal envy cowers, 
 
 Or rivalry attains; still overhead 
 
 Above the highlands where by conquest led, 
 
 The history of heroes dipt by fate, 
 
 Like noble cliffs, abruptly elevate. 
 
 Abruptly end, yet catch the golden ray 
 
 Of fame whose lightnings ever sportive play 
 
 On dizzy heights, but leave the darkened deeps 
 
 Where sorrow hides and disappointment keeps. 
 
 So Alexander died in victory's hour; 
 
 So Csesar dreamed to gain imperial power; 
 
 So fell Napoleon, nor realized 
 
 The world of empire his desires comprised. 
 
 These tower as cliffs, not so Ulysses soars 
 
 To quick dechne ; from fields where battle roars 
 
 The sudden child of fame is born, ascends 
 
52 
 
 As rugged crag from ocean depths portends, 
 
 When cosmic forces to the birth commit 
 
 What silence has conceived ; whose framework knit 
 
 In soundless majesty and clothed with rock 
 
 Full robed presenting at the earthquake's shock. 
 
 So sprang Ulysses to the upper realm, 
 And paused, sustained, no dignities o'erwhelm; 
 There calm the wonderous landscape he surveyed ; 
 The crown of statecraft on his laurels laid ; 
 And like a noble arch completely grand 
 The turbulent and murky stream he spanned 
 Where horrid war and dire destruction lurk 
 And wrote " Conclusion " to his handiwork. 
 
 Its finished piers on firm foundations rest. 
 Of Ijrotherhood by peace and union blest. 
 
 In every clime his name of freedom tells ; 
 In every land Ulysses' fame excels ; 
 
53 
 
 In Riverside entombed, yet not confined, 
 As wide as is his country was his mind; 
 
 His country which the peace he won entwines 
 In willing bonds, nor knows division lines ; 
 
 The peace in freedom fervently desired 
 
 The peace Ulysses Simpson Grant inspired.