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��He came not back, yet all too soon
She heard the words of woe, Her son adjudged to rebel's doom,
Her country's banner low.
Before a man of might there stood A youth condemn 'd and bound ;
And by his side a woman knelt, In anguish, on the ground.
Her golden locks, dishevel'd, flow'd
Around her shoulders fair : " Oh, save him ! save him ! " was the cry
That rent the troubled air ;
And from her agonizing soul
Burst such a shriek of pain, That iron-bosom 'd veterans shrank
To hear that sound again.
She wildly clasp 'd the judge's knees,
And, with a maniac glare, Besought " the widow's only stay,
For Christ's dear sake, to spare : "
But as she scann'd his rugged brow, The blood forsook her cheek,
�� �
