Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A MOTHER OF '98, by MARION COUTHOUY SMITH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A MOTHER OF '98, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My gallant love goes out to-day
Last Line: God save our gallant sons!
Subject(s): Spanish-american War (1898)


MY gallant love goes out to-day,
With drums and bugles sounding gay;
I smile to cheer him on his way —
Smile back, my heart, to me!
The flags are glittering in the light;
Is it their stars that blind my sight?
God, hold my tears until to-night —
Then set their fountains free!

He takes with him the light of May;
Alas! it seems but yesterday
He was a bright-haired child at play,
With eyes that knew no fear;
Blue eyes — true eyes! I see them shine
Far down along the waving line —
Now meet them bravely, eyes of mine!
Good cheer, my love, good cheer!

Oh, mother-hearts, that dare not break!
That feel the stress, the long, long ache,
The tears that burn, the eyes that wake,
For these our cherished ones —
And ye, true hearts — not called to bear
Such pain and peril for your share —
Oh, lift with me the pleading prayer,
God save our gallant sons!





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