The man was loved, the man was idolized, <br />The man had every just and noble gift. <br />He took great burdens and he bore them well, <br />Believed in God but did not preach too much, <br />Believed and followed duty first and last <br />With marvellous consistency and force, <br />Was a great victor, in defeat as great, <br />No more, no less, always himself in both, <br />Could make men die for him but saved his men <br />Whenever he could save them was most kind <br />But was not disobeyed was a good father, <br />A loving husband, a considerate friend.<br /><br />Stephen Vincent Benet<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/robert-e-lee-2/
