THE WIDOWED SWORD. 303 To hallow his name; A land that will love him Who died for its fame; And a solace will shine when my old heart is sore, Round the sword that my brave boy wore. All so noble, so true, how they stood, how they fell In the battle, the plague, and the cold; Of the flower of the heroes of old. Like a sword through the foe Comes so bloodily back; And foremost among them, his colors he bore, And here is the sword that my brave boy wore. It was kind of his comrades, ye know not how kind; It is more than the Indies to me; Ye know not how kind and how steadfast of mind The soldier to sorrow can be. They know well how lonely, How grievously wrung, Love loses so young; 304 THE CHANT OF TREASON. And they closed his dark eyes when the battle was o'er, And sent his old father the sword that he wore. WHEN THE CHANT OF TREASON. BY HENRY BERGH. HEN suspicion is lulled, when confidence When daylight departs, and darkness attains; Hark! to his mad cry: Hurrah! here's success to bold Treason! What though that ancient and world-honored State, Whose laws both protect the small and the great, That freights every ambient breath of the sea With tidings of Hope to the Slave from the Free? What though its banner be spangled with stars, THE CHANT OF TREASON. Was woven 'mid blood, privations, and scars? Come, join in the glee : Hurrah! here's success to bold Treason! In every age, and in every clime, I've lived, and shall live, to the end of Time! I dwell in the soul, I speak through the eye; I lurk unsuspected in the bubbling stream my sway is supreme! So, fill up the glass, And let the toast pass: Hurrah! here 's success to bold Treason! In places of trust, in the Forum I sit ; Without stint or toll: Hurrah! here's success to bold Treason! Would'st learn whence I came, 305 sire ? 306 THE CHANT OF TREASON. I'm issue of Hell, I'm Destruction dire! In paralyzed trade, — in commerce destroyed, — In national ruin, — my means are employed. Then drink, drink, my friends, The toast Treason sends: Hurrah! here 's success to bold Treason! But, lo! in ocean's indistinct distance, bars;" The other is Freedom's! the proud Stripes and Stars! Bang! bang! hear the roar! It sinks it is o'er ! Hurrah! here 's success to bold Treason! And yet there are times, I frankly declare, And could I return THE FALLEN SOLDIER. 307 Shout! shout! I implore, Hurrah! here 's success to bold Treason! Again yonder flag! sank it not 'neath the main? Behold, it is up— high as ever again ! What means that acclaim? the plank, spar, and rope! Great God, they 're for me! 't is the death-knell of hope! Adieu, friends - I choke- I strangle I die! Hark, hark! to that deaf'ning, triumphant cry;· Fill, fill to the brim, Chant Columbia's hymn! Hurrah! here is death to bold Treason! London American, March, 1861. THE FALLEN SOLDIER. EAR off your comrade, boys! See, he has BEAR fallen; The blow at his leader aimed, he made his own: Loose from the bridle the stiffened hand, softly: Only this morning it fed his good roan. |