How the surgeons laid him on a rough board, And took off his leg not saying a word, They looked at his eye, “’Tis useless,” they said, “Boys, take him away and put him in bed,” The helpless soldier now lying in bed. How six long weeks in hospital he lay, And prayed for his wife and children each day, “How to support them, Lord, give me some plan, Tho broken in pieces I still am a man,” The poor broken soldier still is a man. Paid off and discharged when able to go, With heart as light and pure as the snow, He steps on the cars and away is whirled, To realms of love in his own little world, The loving old soldier coming along. He has plenty to eat and plenty to wear, And draws a pension that frees him from care, His wife’s contented, his children as neat, As any children you see on the street, He’s a happy soldier coming along. “Boys, don’t run away when your country’s in need, But prove your courage by brave act and deed, And if you should fall, for you is the fame, On tablets of honor, you’ve written your name,” Said the brave old soldier coming along. WASHINGTON. History tells of noble men, Of soldiers brave and statesmen great, And how they wrought with sword and pen, To raise man to a higher state: The good and wise in ev’ry age, Left honored names to lean upon; But not a name on hist’ry’s page Shines brighter than George Washington. Great Hannibal the Alps did cross, And proudly march on Italy; But suffered a tremendous loss, By giving way to revelry; Philip won at Charonea, And Caesar crossed the Rubicon; Alexander conquered Persia; But nobler was our Washington. Cromwell wielded a dreaded sword. And thousands fell beneath his stroke; Cruelty stained his ill gained hoard, Nor could time mend the hearts he broke. Peter the Great was truly great But tortured to death his own son; He builded up a mighty state, But does not rank with Washington. Cincinnatus was good and brave, And fought for country, not for fame; He left his plow his state to save, And gave the world an honored name. Mighty in war, in council strong, Was the world famed Napoleon, But oft ambition led him wrong; This was not true of Washington. Great warriors and statesmen wise, Have filled the world with their renown, And often when they gained a prize, Have placed upon their heads a crown; And frequently by deeds of shame, Have lost the glory they had won, No hero e’er had purer fame, Than modest, honest Washington.