Richard Henry Stoddard (1825–1903)

(Gettysburg, July 3, 1863)

MANY the ways that lead to death, but few

Grandly, and one alone is glory’s gate,—

Standing wherever free men dare their fate,

Determined, as thou wert, to die—or do!

This thou hast passed, young soldier, storming through

The fiery darkness round it,—not too late

To know the invaders beaten from thy State,—

Ah, why too soon to rout them, and pursue?

But some must fall as thou hast fallen; some

Remain to fight, and fall another day;

And some go down in peace to their long rest.

If ’t were not now, it would be still to come;

And whether now, or when thy hairs were gray,

Were fittest for thee—God alone knows best.