Poems (Chitwood)/The Soldier's Adieu

THE SOLDIER'S ADIEU.

Here, dearest, 'neath the deep-blue sky;
Here, while the stars are bright above;
Here, while the moon shines gloriously,
I pledge thee my undying love.
The fingers which so often ran
In love-tones o'er the light guitar,
Must grasp the sword and join the clan
That marches to the ranks of war.

Here, 'neath the moon so calm and cold,
My deathless faith I pledge to thee;
Then, dearest, wear this ring of gold
In memory of this night and me;
And when it darkens in thy sight,
And with thy soft touch snaps in two,
Then know my heart is broken quite,
But not untrue—no, not untrue!

He placed it on her finger slight.
"What shall I give to thee?" said she.
"I only ask one tress so bright
Of thy brown hair to tell of thee."
She severed one long tress. "Is such
The boon you ask?" she trembling said;
"When it is dust within your touch,
Then, not till then, my love is dead."

He left her side. The sword and shield
Were used in place of light guitar:
He fought in many a battle field—
He perished in the hosts of war.
Close folded on his faithful breast,—
That breast till life's last hour so true,—
The tress of dark brown hair was pressed,
But blood had changed its glossy hue.
The war was o'er: she watched in vain
For his return o'er mountain blue,—
The ring of gold it broke in twain,
And her fond heart was broken too!