The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
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 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
How oft we saw beneath the cottage-roof,
Of purest patriotism no vulgar proof!
From martial exercise with village bands,
In arms a youth before a matron stands,
Grac'd with ingenuous blush—that blush confest
The double duty that disturb'd his breast:
The matron-mother ey'd with eager joy,
Clasp'd in embrace, and thus bespoke the boy:
“Thy comrades rush to glory's fields afar,
Lag not behind, but haste to join the war.
There reigns above, whose care delights to bless,
To feed the widow and the fatherless;
May he”—Th' unfinish'd accents fail'd her tongue,
Approv'd, not long in idle gaze he clung—
Strait beat the drum—the filial tear that fell,
A tear maternal met, in mute farewell.
Of purest patriotism no vulgar proof!
From martial exercise with village bands,
In arms a youth before a matron stands,
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The double duty that disturb'd his breast:
The matron-mother ey'd with eager joy,
Clasp'd in embrace, and thus bespoke the boy:
“Thy comrades rush to glory's fields afar,
Lag not behind, but haste to join the war.
There reigns above, whose care delights to bless,
To feed the widow and the fatherless;
May he”—Th' unfinish'd accents fail'd her tongue,
Approv'd, not long in idle gaze he clung—
Strait beat the drum—the filial tear that fell,
A tear maternal met, in mute farewell.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |