Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PATRIOT MOTHER, by JOHN SAVAGE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PATRIOT MOTHER, by                    
First Line: When o'er the land the battle brand
Last Line: "but never come a coward."
Subject(s): American Civil War; Mothers; Patriotism; U.s. - History


I.

When o'er the land the battle brand
In freedom's cause was gleaming,
And everywhere upon the air
The starry flag was streaming,
The widow cried unto her pride,
"Go forth and join the muster;
Thank God, my son can bear a gun
To crown his race with lustre!
Go forth! and come again not home,
If by disgrace o'erpowered;
My heart can pray o'er hero's clay,
But never clasp a coward!"

II.

"God bless thee, boy, my pride, my joy,
My old eyes' light and treasure --
Thy father stood 'mid flame and blood
To fill the freeman's measure.
His name thy name -- the cause the same,
Go join thy soldier brothers!
Thy blow, alone, protects not one,
But thousands, wives and mothers.
May every blessing Heaven can yield
Upon thy arms be showered!
Come back a hero from the field,
But never come a coward."





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