108. the will for the deed.
by Caroline A. Mason.
No sword have I, no battle-blade,Nor shining spear; how shall I aid
My Country in her great Crusade?
I cannot sow with gold the sod,
Like Dragon's teeth, and from the clod
See armed men rise, battle-shod.
I may not stand in mart or hall,
And shout aloud great Freedom's call,
“Come to the rescue, one and all!”
I am a woman, weak and slight,
No voice to plead, no arm to fight,
Yet burning to support the Right.
How shall I aid my Country's cause?
How help avenge her trampled laws?
Alas, my woman's heart makes pause.
With oil and wine I may not go,
Where wounded men toss to and fro,
Beneath the invader's hand laid low.
My little child looks up to me,
And lisps a stronger, mightier plea;
God wills where he is, I should be.
Ah, well;--I am not needed! He
Who knows my heart, perchance, for me
Has other work than now I see.
“They also serve, who stand and wait,” --
Oh, golden words!--and not too late!
My soul accepts her humbler fate.
Content to serve in any way,
Less than the least, if so I may
But hail the dawning of that day, [88]
When my beloved Land shall rise,
And shout as one man to the skies,
Lo! Freedom lives, and Treason dies!
--Salem (Mass.) Register.
