the miseries of war.
79
Hoof-trodden, scarred by the sword and the saber,
All showed the place where the foemen had striven;
Mournfully mingled the laurel and cypress,
Broken hearts wept for the ties that were riven.
All showed the place where the foemen had striven;
Mournfully mingled the laurel and cypress,
Broken hearts wept for the ties that were riven.
Sad sighed the Wind Spirit 'mid the lone branches,
Sad as a requiem or dirge for the slain;
Pale watchers looked from their lone far-off dwellings,
Dreaming of loved ones they'd meet not again.
Sad as a requiem or dirge for the slain;
Pale watchers looked from their lone far-off dwellings,
Dreaming of loved ones they'd meet not again.
Paused I a moment beside a bold warrior;
Slowly his spirit was passing away,
Grasped in his hand was the standard of battle,
Bravely he'd fought for his country that day.
Slowly his spirit was passing away,
Grasped in his hand was the standard of battle,
Bravely he'd fought for his country that day.
"Scenes of my childhood," he murmured, in sadness,
"Wife of my bosom, and children, adieu!
Farewell, my country! I fought for your freedom,—
There are tears for my loved ones, but glory for you."
"Wife of my bosom, and children, adieu!
Farewell, my country! I fought for your freedom,—
There are tears for my loved ones, but glory for you."
