30. the maid of Ulster.
by M. M. M'N. Walsh.
Dedicated to the 20TH regiment N. Y. S. M. Her uncle was a counsellor, of wealth, and wit, and skill,A finished classic scholar, and master of the quill;
An editor and Congressman, a Democrat in truth,
A real Northern gentleman, conservative from youth.
No boaster, and no blusterer — no vain, conceited knave,
No perjurer, no plunderer, but honest, generous, brave;
He loved his country more than life-he bade us all good-bye:
A soldier of the Union, he's going South to die.
Her Henry was at college yet-but one short month to stay--
A favorite of the Faculty, a youth that loved to pray;
The pride of all his family; yet scarcely twenty three,
He loved his maiden tenderly — a noble lover he;
A faithful, frank, and generous youth, high-minded, peaceful, true,
He wished no harm to any one, but felt as others do:
He loved his country more than life-he bade us all good-bye:
A soldier of the Union, he's going South to die.
Her father and her brothers, too, are gone, (she gave consent;)
She parted with them tearfully, and yet she's glad they went;
But now that they are far away-her mother long since dead,
She's left at home, and all alone-perhaps she'll want for bread.
She says she may, and yet she smiles; she boasts her kinsmen brave
Have gone to bear her country's flag where it of right should wave.
She loves that banner more than life, and were she but a man,
She vows 'twould be her pride and boast to lead the Union van.
God bless the maid of Ulster, that all so freely gave;
God bless the noble father, may he be strong and brave;
God bless the two dear brothers, may they be bold and true;
God bless the faithful Henry, the gifted uncle too. [37]
The soldiers of the Union, God bless them one and all;
They were no noisy braggarts, but they will gladly fall;
If lives will save the Union, they're ready quite to die,
These noble Northern soldiers, that bade us all good-bye.
Ulster County, May 20, 1861.
