"When all the village cheers us on, That you, in tears, apart are seated ? "We march two hundred thousand strong! And that's a sight, my baby beauty, To quicken silence into song, And glorify the soldier's duty." "It's very, very grand, I know," "But think - O Mr. Soldier, think, How many little sisters' brothers Are going all away to fight, Who may be killed, as well as others!" "Why, bless thee, child," the sergeant said, To find that war's not all a blessing." And "bless thee!" once again he cried ; MOVE ON THE COLUMNS. And still the ringing shouts went up From doorway, thatch, and fields of tillage; The pall behind the standard seen By one alone, of all the village. The oak and cedar bend and writhe 159 When roars the wind through gap and braken ; But 't is the tenderest reed of all That trembles first when earth is shaken. MOVE ON THE COLUMNS. MOVE BY W. D. GALLAGHER. I. OVE on the columns! Why delay ? II. Move on the columns! Hesitate No longer what to plan or do: Our cause is good — our men are true 160 MOVE ON THE COLUMNS. This fight is for the Flag, the State, The Union, and the hopes of man: III. Move on the columns! If the land As wavering purpose when at bay. IV. Move on the columns! With the sweep Of eagles let them strike the foe; That clears the chasm: the lightning stroke The earthquake rocks the eternal steep. V. Move on the columns! Why have sprung MOVE ON THE COLUMNS. Closing the harvest hymn half sung,- VI. Move on the columns! They are here To save from treason and from death A nation which they all revere; And on each manly brow is set A purpose such as never yet Was thwarted when, as now, sincere. VII. Move on the columns! Earth contains Nor man nor fiend can tell the hour VIII. Move on the columns strong and bright! That clutch and wield the battle brands 161 Which menace with their Wrong our Right, IX. Move on the columns! If they go Let that which woke the fiery wrath CLOSE LANDER. BY THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH. OSE his bleak eyes-they shall no more And lay the battered sabre at his side, Though he no more may pluck from out its sheath |