There is a cap in the closet, br Old, tattered, and blue- br Of very slight value, br It may be, to you: br But a crown, jewel studded, br Could not buy it to-day, br With its letters of honor, br Brave 'Co. K.' br br The head that it sheltered br Needs shelter no more: br Dead heroes make holy br The trifles they wore; br So, like chaplet of honor, br Of laurel and bay, br Seems the cap of the soldier, br Marked 'Co. K.' br br Bright eyes have looked calmly br Its visor beneath, br O'er the work of the Reaper, br Grim Harvester Death! br Let the muster roll meagre, br So mournfully say, br How foremost in danger br Went 'Co. K.' br br Whose footsteps unbroken br Came up to the town, br Where rampart and bastion br Looked threat'ningly down! br Who, closing up breaches, br Still kept on their way, br Till, guns downward pointed, br Faced 'Co. K.' br br Who faltered or shivered? br Who shunned battle stroke? br Whose fire was uncertain? br Whose battle line broke? br Go, ask it of History, br Years from to-day, br And the record shall tell you, br Not 'Co. K.' br br Though my darling is sleeping br To-day with the dead, br And daisies and clover br Bloom over his head, br I smile through my tears br As I lay it away- br That battle-worn cap, br Lettered 'Co. K.