He came in victory's lambent flame br 'Mid myriad shouts and trumpets' blare, br While the glad people's loud acclaim br Made vocal all the summer air. br br But while the cannon's thunder boomed br Half-heard amid the loyal cry, br And starry banners glowed and bloomed br In beauty neath that western sky, br br He from the highway turned apart br And to a quiet nook drew near, br The dearest pulses of his heart br Beating the question, "Is she here?" br br The glory well and hardly earned br In civic toil and battle's fire br Was all forgotten as he turned br To meet his human heart's desire. br br And light as dust lay in the scale br The favor of a flattering world br Weighed by that joy which cannot fail br In love and faith and honor furled. br br Like fire within the opal's heart, br Like fragrance in the rose's breast, br A sacred joy, serene, apart, br The highest and the holiest.