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THE FIELD OF BATTLE

To grasp the two-edged sword, and forward rush upon the foe,
To hear the Captain’s cry, to see the flash of answering eyes,
To feel the throbbing hearts of battling comrades in the ranks—
That rapturous inspiration know, of warring for the Right,
The holy joy of following him who points and leads the way!
Ah, yes! ’tis glorious thus to fight the goodly fight, and yet,
Methinks, beyond the firing line, beneath those snowy tents,
A fiercer conflict rages, day and night, where trembling hands,
Wan lips and fever-lighted eyes do battle with a host
Of deadly foes—grim giants, Doubt and Disappointment, fierce
Despair—before whose fiery darts the bravest well might quail!
They also hear the call, and hoarsely cry, “Lord, here am I!”
They strive to reach their swords, to struggle to their feet, but back
In helpless agony of weakness on their pallets fall,
With brain afire, and reason tottering on its throne, their tears
Of anguish flow. Sometimes the noise of battle sweeps beyond
The range of those poor straining ears, and then the spectre Fear
Stalks through the room, and lays an icy hand upon each heart:
The awful thought, Our Captain hath forsaken and forgot,
Our comrades forge ahead, they leave us here alone to die!
But, no! the Lord of Battles is most merciful, he sends
A swift-winged messenger: “Yea, though a mother may forget
Her sucking child, yet will I not forget!” Then, like the calm
That cometh after storm, sweet peace and quiet reign within
Those troubled breasts; and so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Ah, then! true-hearted comrades in the forefront of the fight,
Remember that the wounded to God’s army still belong,
And send betimes to them a white-winged messenger of cheer.
Oh, give Love’s roses now, nor keep them for the coffin’s lid,
(A single flower is sweeter far than thousands by and by).
Take time to speak a tender word, to shed a pitying tear,
Or breathe, at least, a prayer throughout the watches of the night,
And thus prove more than conquerors through the power of deathless love!
G. W. S.—Jan., ’09.

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— July 1, 1909 —