An Anniversary Poem by Menella Bute Smedley

SEPTEMBER 7 1860

On the seventh of September, two little years gone by,
For Naples freed by one man's deed, rejoicings shook the sky;
There were banners from all windows, and flowers beneath all feet,
And a whirl of happy faces as he rode up the street;
No crown, except his glory, was on his brow that day,
He toil'd, he fought, he conquer'd—to give a crown away.
A soldier stands beside him, as friend by friend should stand,
And takes the crown so conquer'd, and grasps the gallant hand.
“Shout for royal Victor! let your vivas ring!
Shout for Garibaldi, greater than a king!”