A WOMAN'S BATTLE.
179
Kings' wives die quick, when kings go mad;
To death how fair and grave she goes!
What if the king knew now, she had
Shut in her hand a little rose?
To death how fair and grave she goes!
What if the king knew now, she had
Shut in her hand a little rose?
And men die quick when kings have said;
Bleeding, dishonored, flung apart
In outcast field a man lies dead
With rose-leaves warm upon his heart.
Bleeding, dishonored, flung apart
In outcast field a man lies dead
With rose-leaves warm upon his heart.
A WOMAN'S BATTLE.
EAR foe, I know thou'lt win the fight.I know thou hast the stronger bark,
And thou art sailing in the light,
While I am creeping in the dark.
Thou dost not dream that I am crying,
As I come up with colors flying.
I clear away my wounded, slain,
With strength like frenzy, strong and swift;
I do not feel the tug and strain,
Though dead are heavy, hard to lift.
If I looked in their faces dying,
I could not keep my colors flying.
With strength like frenzy, strong and swift;
I do not feel the tug and strain,
Though dead are heavy, hard to lift.
If I looked in their faces dying,
I could not keep my colors flying.
Dear foe, it will be short,—our fight,—
Though lazily thou train'st thy guns;
Fate steers us,—me to deeper night,
And thee to brighter seas and suns;
But thou'lt not dream that I am dying,
As I sail by with colors flying!
Though lazily thou train'st thy guns;
Fate steers us,—me to deeper night,
And thee to brighter seas and suns;
But thou'lt not dream that I am dying,
As I sail by with colors flying!
