The Volunteer's Wife

I knew by the light in his deep, dnrk eyea When be henrd the beat of the muatering drum That ho never would fold his arms, and sigh Over the evils that were lo come : I knew that tho blood of a patriot sire Courscd, through lus veins like a stream of fire ; So I took his hand, And bnde him go, But he never dreaoied That it gneved me 90. Two fnirhaired cliildren lie left with mo Who lisp Ii is name at the eventide - The verj" hour whon upan his knee He used to fondk1 his pet nnd pi"ide; AIns ! tliey may never again be blessed By a fnther'8 ca're in tlie old home nest; And he rever again, May hear tlie toncs Or kiss the lips Of his little ones. ' know he Im8 answcred his country'a cali That his brcast is bared at n high commnml; 3ut iiiy beart will break, I know, if he fall, Jn the battle'e front by a traitor'á haad ; f et I murmur not, though my te.ir.W6t eyes Attest the worlh of the eaerificc; Tis a wife's freegift, Two lives in one, In the name of God, And of Washington. Perhaps when tbe ranple leaves aro red, And llie golden glories of harvest come, I shall wake some morning to hear hia tread, And givfi -liira a warm hcart's welcome li odio ; To kneel witli him, in a forvenl prnyer, Thar.king our God for his wütchful care. In sliielding hifi heart From the rebel's brand, Who honored the flag Of his cherished land.