Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

Page 25 text:

[W ritten for the accompam-ing picture] Nay, not of glory was our thought. Nor did we balance Ufe and death — Ignoble act , and fame, if sought For its own sake, is empty breath. As Soldiers marched we to that field. Responsive to Virginia ' s call. Like Spartan youths, to whom the shield Their mothers gave as bier or wall. This sword our glorious Mother gave; Dishonor hath it never known : ' Tis only for the true and brave, Who heed but Duty ' s voice alone. A treasured trophy let it hang Before your eyes to stir your heart To such high deeds as minstrels sang. With Grecian or with Roman art. The story of a gallant fight. The unhesitating charge, the stand, The charge again, the foeman ' s flight, ' Twill teach to all throughout our land. The patriot ' s and the soldier ' s work. The coming years again may claim : This sword will then forbid to shirk — New Market valor it will name. Degenerate days, some say, are ours. And men to lesser stature grow. With lower aims and feebler powers : Prove it, my boy, to be not so. Still Duty calls to sacrifice: Still are there fields that must be won ; Honor is still the highest prize. And valorous deeds must yet be done. Col. R. T. 19