Page:The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses.djvu/99

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THE MARCH OF THE DEAD


The cruel war was over—oh, the triumph was so sweet!
We watched the troops returning, through our tears;
There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet glittering street,
And you scarce could hear the music for the cheers.
And you scarce could see the house-tops for the flags that flew between;
The bells were pealing madly to the sky;
And everyone was shouting for the Soldiers of the Queen,
And the glory of an age was passing by.


And then there came a shadow, swift and sudden, dark and drear;
The bells were silent, not an echo stirred.

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