the deserter.
117
Oh! hadst thou from the temptation
Flown for refuge and for rest
To the rock of Christ's salvation,
Shelter strong for the distress'd!
Flown for refuge and for rest
To the rock of Christ's salvation,
Shelter strong for the distress'd!
The Deserter.
With a heart with anguish rending,
Eyes bedimm'd with tears of grief,
Hurried steps a youth was bending
To the chambers of his chief.
Cap in hand, he stood before him,
Told with sad and faltering breath,
How the widowed one who bore him
Languished on the bed of death.
Eyes bedimm'd with tears of grief,
Hurried steps a youth was bending
To the chambers of his chief.
Cap in hand, he stood before him,
Told with sad and faltering breath,
How the widowed one who bore him
Languished on the bed of death.
Earnestly the stricken-hearted
Sued for leave to see her die;
But that sad, sad hope departed
With the man of power's reply:
"Nay," he answer'd to his pleading—
For his grief had desperate grown—
"Nay, you leave not;" and, unheeding,
Turned and left the youth alone.
Sued for leave to see her die;
But that sad, sad hope departed
With the man of power's reply:
"Nay," he answer'd to his pleading—
For his grief had desperate grown—
"Nay, you leave not;" and, unheeding,
Turned and left the youth alone.
Then, with bosom proudly swelling,
Burning cheek, and lip compress'd,
The boy soldier left the dwelling
With a purpose in his breast.
Burning cheek, and lip compress'd,
The boy soldier left the dwelling
With a purpose in his breast.
