FP#524, spring 1863; JP#444

If feels a shame to be Alive -
When Men so brave - are dead -
One envies the Distinguished Dust -
Permitted - such a Head -

The Stone - that tells defending Whom
This Spartan put away
What little of Him we - possessed
In Pawn for Liberty -

The price is great-Sublimely paid -
Do we deserve - a Thing -
That lives-like Dollars - must be piled
Before we may obtain?

Are we that wait - sufficient worth -
That such Enormous Pearl
As life - dissolved be - for Us -
In Battle’s - horrid Bowl?

It may be - a Reknown to live -
I think the Man who die -
Those unsustained - Saviors -
Present Divinity -