ADDRESS OF THE FIRST KENTUCKY REGIMENT
— ON THE —
Presentation of a Flag to Col. Bramlette,
By the Ladies of Lexington.

By W. F. MARVIN.

Thou lov'd cherished Banner by beauty enrolled,
And baring thy bosom of azure and gold;
Float wide to the breeze in the hand of the brave,
Till Freedom shall wave thee o'er Tyranny's grave.

On, on, while a foeman to Liberty's cause
Raise a hand against thee, and our Union's laws;
May a coward ne'er sully thy folds with his breath,
But thy stars shine more brightly o'er victory or death.

In the thick of the Battle we'll guard thee with pride —
Though thousands may fall — gather still by thy side,
While Beauty and Duty, the watch-words may prove
To waken each spirit to Valor and Love.

On, on, to the Battle, the smile and caress,
Of youth and of beauty each Hero shall bless;
While mothers and sweet-hearts, and sisters and sires
Kindle widely new torches from Liberty's fires.

'Tis the Flag of our Fathers, the Flag of the brave,

The Flag that still waves o'er our Washington's grave,
The Flag that our Mothers have gazed on with pride,
And the Flag where our bravest in victory died.

Though tattered and torn in the heat of the strife,
We will treasure each shred and defend it with life,
Though shorn of its beauty, to your beauty true,
We will fight for its honor, our county, and YOU.

With BRAMLETTE, and SCOTT, and MCKEE, and a Host
Of Leaders as brave as the bravest can boast,
We will follow our Banner with love and with pride,
And return it with honor, or die by its side.