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SO WAR HAS BEGUN
Rumor, with awful tales
Of death and of disaster,
May clamor through our vales,
But Spring comes hither faster,
Humming a tender rune of peace—
Breathing of bloom and life's increase.
Old soldiers still relate
How at Resaca's battle,—
As if to compensate,—
Above the din and rattle
Of musketry, continued long,
A mockingbird sang rapturous song:
And one who lay near death,—
A soldier sorely wounded,
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