 | Ballads of the War |  |
84
Love, the Conqueror
He was a man of rugged face,
A hundred battles in his eyes,
He listened to a piteous case,
He had compassion on the cries.
A hundred battles in his eyes,
He listened to a piteous case,
He had compassion on the cries.
Her lord in that beleaguered town
Lay hurt to death by shot and shell,
And love far over land had flown
To look one look and say farewell.
Lay hurt to death by shot and shell,
And love far over land had flown
To look one look and say farewell.
He heard her tale and muttered low
“Love is more strong than fire or sword.”
He bade her pass—that gallant foe—
And sent her to her dying lord.
“Love is more strong than fire or sword.”
He bade her pass—that gallant foe—
And sent her to her dying lord.
Line after line the foeman sent
Swift challenge, swifter answer came,
Safe on her way the brave wife went
And took for escort Joubert's name.
Swift challenge, swifter answer came,
Safe on her way the brave wife went
And took for escort Joubert's name.
85
Scarred faces crept from underground
To gaze upon that gentle form,
Grim holders they of trench and mound,
A woman's heart alone could storm.
To gaze upon that gentle form,
Grim holders they of trench and mound,
A woman's heart alone could storm.
She passed thro' ramparts battle-worn,
Down streets ploughed deep by hurtling shell;
She found him near to death, forlorn
Of hope, for whom she dared so well.
Down streets ploughed deep by hurtling shell;
She found him near to death, forlorn
Of hope, for whom she dared so well.
Rough men were melted into tears
To think how nobly love had striven,
And three times three our British cheers
For gallant Joubert went to Heaven.
To think how nobly love had striven,
And three times three our British cheers
For gallant Joubert went to Heaven.
Note.—A message dated Ladysmith, Feb. 17th.—“Much regret is felt for the death of Major Dufton, an able and popular officer of the Light Horse, who was severely wounded during one of the recent fights, and had his arm amputated. His wife, on hearing by heliograph of his condition, asked for and obtained permission from General Joubert, through General White, to pass through the Boer lines that she might nurse her dying husband.”
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