322 SPRING AT THE CAPITAL. And now your startled stems are all a-tremble with the jar of drums. Whether it lessen or increase, Or whether trumpets shout or cease, Still deep within your tranquil hearts the happy bees are humming " Peace!" O flowers! the soul that faints or grieves, New comfort from your lips receives; Sweet confidence and patient faith are hidden in your healing leaves. Help us to trust, still on and on, That this dark night will soon be gone, And that these battle-stains are but the blood-red trouble of the dawn Dawn of a broader, whiter day A dawn beneath whose purer light all guilt and wrong shall fade away. Then shall our nation break its bands, And, silencing the envious lands, Stand in the searching light unshamed, with spotless robe, and clean, white hands. THE REGIMENT RETURNED. 323 THE REGIMENT RETURNED. BY PARK BENJAMIN. THE fife blows shrill, the drum beats loud; Come echoing up the city street, With cheers and welcomes from the crowd. It is the regiment returned That went away three months ago; Fearless they met the Southern foe, And with true patriot ardor burned. Their looks and dress are somewhat worn; And that is honorable dust Upon their caps and knapsacks borne. Their banner still is held on high, Though soiled with wind and rain and smoke, As bravely as when first it broke In light, like sunrise, on the sky. In the full front of battle shown, O'er many rough and weary miles, 324 THE REGIMENT RETURNED. Against its folds the shot were cast, From hidden batteries, charged with death; And though its bearer held his breath, 'T was carried upward to the last. And now, still marching where it waves, But, vowing to avenge their loss, Soon, where those comrades fought and fell, They'll meet once more, and conquer well Beneath the Union's starry cross. 'Tis right to welcome home with cheers For them we mourn; for these we raise And, as their ranks come marching by, VOICE OF THE NORTHERN WOMEN. 325 VOICE OF THE NORTHERN WOMEN. BY PHOEBE CARY. ROUSE, freemen, the foe has arisen, O, fathers, who sit with your children, O, brothers, we played with in childhood, Shall trample them under his feet. O, lovers, awake to your duty From visions that fancy has nursed; Look not in the eyes that would keep you ; Our country has need of you first. And we, whom your lives have made blessed, 326 THE LATEST WAR NEWS. We are daughters of men who were heroes; Shall have room for a place in our heart. Then quit you like men in the conflict, THE LATEST WAR NEWS. OH pale, pale face! Oh helpless hands! Sweet eyes by fruitless watching wronged, Yet turning ever towards the lands Where war's red hosts are thronged. She shudders when they tell the tale, She sees no conquering flag unfurled, |