When tempest winnowed grain from bran; And men were looking for a man, Authority called you to the van, McClellan:
Along the line the plaudit ran, As later when Antietam's cheers began. Through storm-cloud and eclipse must move Each Cause and Man, dear to the stars and Jove;
Nor always can the wisest tell Deferred fulfillment from the hopeless knell — The struggler from the floundering ne'er-do-well. A pall-cloth on the Seven Days fell,
Mcclellan — Unprosperously heroical! Who could Antietam's wreath foretell? Authority called you; then, in mist
And loom of jeopardy — dismissed. But staring peril soon appalled; You, the Discarded, she recalled — Recalled you, nor endured delay;
And forth you rode upon a blasted way, Arrayed Pope's rout, and routed Lee's array, McClellan: Your tent was choked with captured flags that day,
McClellan. Antietam was a telling fray. Recalled you; and she heard your drum Advancing through the glastly gloom.
You manned the wall, you propped the Dome, You stormed the powerful stormer home, McClellan: Antietam's cannon long shall boom.
At Alexandria, left alone, McClellan — Your veterans sent from you, and thrown To fields and fortunes all unknown —
What thoughts were yours, revealed to none, While faithful still you labored on — Hearing the far Manassas gun! McClellan,
Only Antietam could atone. You fought in the front ( an evil day, McClellan ) — The fore-front of the first assay;
The Cause went sounding, groped its way; The leadsmen quarrelled in the bay; Quills thwarted swords; divided sway; The rebel flushed in his lusty May:
You did your best, as in you lay, McClellan. Antietam's sun-burst sheds a ray. Your medalled soldiers love you well,
McClellan: Name your name, their true hearts swell; With you they shook dread Stonewall's spell, With you they braved the blended yell
Of rebel and maligner fell; With you in shame or fame they dwell, McClellan: Antietam-braves a brave can tell.
And when your comrades ( now so few, McClellan — Such ravage in deep files they rue ) Meet round the board, and sadly view
The empty places; tribute due They render to the dead — and you! Absent and silent o'er the blue; The one-armed lift the wine to you,
McClellan, And great Antietam's cheers renew.
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