A True Hero

JAMES BRAIDWOOD: Died June 22, 1861.

NOT at the battle front,--writ of in story;

Not on the blazing wreck steering to glory;

Not while in martyr-pangs soul and flesh sever,

Died he--this Hero new; hero forever.

No pomp poetic crowned, no forms enchained him,

No friends applauding watched, no foes arraigned him:

Death found him there, without grandeur or beauty,

Only an honest man doing his duty:

Just a God-fearing man, simple and lowly,

Constant at kirk and hearth, kindly as holy:

Death found--and touched him with finger in flying:--

Lo! he rose up complete--hero undying.

Now, all men mourn for him, lovingly raise him

Up from his life obscure, chronicle, praise him;

Tell his last act, done midst peril appalling,

And the last word of cheer from his lips falling;

Follow in multitudes to his grave's portal;

Leave him there, buried in honor immortal.

So many a Hero walks unseen beside us,

Till comes the supreme stroke sent to divide us.

Then the LORD calls His own,--like this man, even,

Carried, Elijah-like, fire-winged, to heaven.