More Songs by the Fighting Men
Who caught the smile which glorified your face.
A moment—little heart!—and you were gone;
But where you passed—you knew it not—
I marked and kissed the spot.
I loved you in royal Rome.
Sweet Heart! you were a vestal there
And I came to offer my gift.
A poor slave with a pigeon dearly bought,
Its feathers purer than snow's whitest drift.
With fevered soul I made my silent prayer
Though I could never touch the bliss I sought,
While holy Vesta's temple was your home.
A feather fell—how should you see?—
Till death it stayed with me.
I love you in London town.
Sweet Heart! you are a princess now
And the blue blood runs in your veins;
While I, alas! am but of common birth
Whom war is splashing with its crimson stains.
A soldier who has taken Honour's vow
To share the grandest task on God's wide earth.
One night you wore red roses in your gown.
A petal dropped—you never guessed—
I hid it in my breast.
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