University of Virginia Library


94

YES, YES, I GO.

Yes, yes, I go”—he whispered soft,
“In freedom's cause my sword to wield,
Columbia's banner waves aloft,
And glory calls me to the field.”
Then foremost on the foe he prest,
While war's rude tempest wildly roared,
Till gushing from the hero's breast
The purple tide in torrents poured.
He fell, and oh! what fancies stole
Through memory vista, bright and warm,
Till one loved image o'er his soul
Came like an angel in the storm.
But loudly swelled the bugle's blast,
His hand instinctive grasped the steel;
Again it swelled—but all was past,
The warrior's breast had ceased to fell.