George Pope Morris

The Soldier's Welcome Home

Victorious the hero returns from the wars,
  His brow bound with laurels that never will fade,
While streams the free standard of stripes and of stars,
  Whose field in the battle the foeman dismayed.
When the Mexican hosts in their fury came on,
  Like a tower of strength in his might he arose,
Where danger most threatened his banner was borne,
  Waving hope to his friends and despair to his foes!

The soldier of honor and liberty hail!
  His deeds in the temple of Fame are enrolled;
His precepts, like flower-seeds sown by the gale,
  Take root in the hearts of the valiant and bold.
The warrior's escutcheon his foes seek to blot,
  But vain is the effort of partisan bands--
For freemen will render full justice to SCOTT,
  And welcome him home with their hearts in their hands.