The legions who had seen his glance Across the carnage flashing, And thrilled to catch his ringing "_charge_" Above the volley crashing;-- Who oft had watched the lifted hand, The inward trust betraying, And felt their courage grow sublime, While they beheld him praying! Good knights and true as ever drew Their swords with knightly Roland; Or died at Sobieski's side, For love of martyr'd Poland; Or knelt with Cromwell's Ironsides; Or sang with brave Gustavus; Or on the plain of Austerlitz, Breathed out their dying AVES! Rare fame! rare name!--If chanted praise, With all the world to listen,-- If pride that swells a nation's soul,-- If foemen's tears that glisten,-- If pilgrims' shrining love,--if grief Which nought may soothe or sever,-- If THESE can consecrate,--this spot Is sacred ground forever! [A] In the month of June the singular spectacle was presented at Lexington, Va., of two hostile armies, in turn, reverently visiting Jackson's grave. WHEN THE WAR IS OVER. A CHRISTMAS LAY. I. Ah! the happy Christmas times! Times we all remember;-- Times that flung a ruddy glow O'er the gray December;-- Will they never come again, With their song and story? Never wear a remnant more Of their olden glory? Must the little children miss Still the festal token? Must their realm of young romance All be marred and broken? Must the mother promise on, While her smiles dissemble, And she speaks right quietly, Lest her voice should tremble:-- "Darlings! wait till father comes-- Wait--and we'll discover Never were such Christmas times, When the war is over!" II. Underneath the midnight sky, Bright with starry beauty, Sad, the shivering sentinel Treads his round of duty: For his thoughts are far away, Far from strife and battle, As he listens dreamingly, To his baby's prattle;-- As he clasps his sobbing wife, Wild with sudden gladness, Kisses all her tears away-- Chides her looks of sadness-- Talks of Christmas nights to come,-- And his step grows lighter, Whispering, while his stiffening hand Grasps his musket tighter:-- "Patience, love!--keep heart! keep hope! To your weary rover, What a home our home will be, When the war is over!" III.