American Heritage Library


Robert E. Lee
by Stephen Vincent Benet

The man was loved, the man was idolized,
The man had every just and noble gift.
He took great burdens and he bore themwell,
Believed in God but did not preach too much,
Believed and followed duty first and last
With marvellous consistency and force,
Was a great victor, in defeat as great,
No more, no less, always himself in both,
Could make men die for him but saved hismen
Whenever he could save them was mostkind
But was not disobeyed was a good father,
A loving husband, a considerate friend.

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