Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SOLDIER'S TEAR, by THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SOLDIER'S TEAR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Upon the hill he turned
Last Line: Has wiped away a tear.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bayly, Nathaniel Thomas Haynes
Subject(s): Soldiers


UPON the hill he turn'd
To take a last fond look
Of the valley and the village church
And the cottage by the brook;
He listen'd to the sounds,
So familiar to his ear,
And the soldier leant upon his sword,
And wiped away a tear.

Beside that cottage porch
A girl was on her knees,
She held aloft a snowy scarf,
Which flutter'd in the breeze;
She breath'd a prayer for him,
A prayer he could not hear,
But he paused to bless her, as she knelt,
And wiped away a tear.

He turn'd and left the spot,
Oh, do not deem him weak;
For dauntless was the soldier's heart,
Though tears were on his cheek;
Go watch the foremost rank
In danger's dark career,
Be sure the hand most daring there
Has wiped away a tear.





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