The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-09-08
BINGEN ON THE RHINE.
BY HON. MRS. NORTON.

BY HON. MRS NORTON.
A soldier of the Legion lay dying in AL
giers,
There was lack of woman's nursing, there
was dearth of woman's tears;
But comrade stood beside him while his
lifeblood ebbed away,
And bent with plying glances to hear what
he might say.
The dying soldier faltered as he took that
comrades hand,
And said, I never more shall see my own,
my native land.
Take message and q token to some dis
tant friends of mine,
For was born at Bingen, sweet Bingen
on the Rhine!
Tell my brothers and companions, when
they meet and crowd around .-
10 hear my mournful story in the pleasant
vintage ground; ..
That we fought the battle bravely, and,
when the fight was done,
Full many corpse lay ghastly pale be-
meath the setting sun. "
And midst the dead and dying were some
| grown old in wars
Tho death wound on their gallant breasts,
the last of many scars:
But some were young, and suddenly be-
| ~ held life's morn decline: .-.
And one had come from Bingen, dear Bin
gen on the Rhiuet -.....
Tell my mother that her other sons shall
comfort her old age, sE. ...
That was still a truant bird that thought
/ his home cage ..-.
For my father was soldier and even as
| child -
My heart leaped forth to hear him tell Of
struggles fierce and wild:
And when he died and left us to divide
| his scanty hoarde, .... .-- -
let them take whate'er they would, but
| kept my fathers sword, .. ,.-.-
And with boyish love hung it where the
sun light used to shine, .-...
In that cottage wall at Bingen, fair Bingen
on the Rhine! .... ...... ...,. -
"Tell my sister not to mourn for me, with
| sad and dropping head,
When the troops are marching home again
with glad and gallant tread:
But to look upon them proudly, with calm
I . and steadfast eye, .'. ... Isl
For her brother was soldier too, and moi
! afraid to diel
And if a comrade seeks her love, I ash
4 her in my name -' 80.
! To listen to him kindly, without regret Of
shame, IL 81. 5-#5a -.- .se -.
And to hang the old sword in its place
my fathers sword and mine '-
For the honor of old Bingen, dear Bingel
on the Rhine! - -. "'
There's another, not sister, and in hap
rs py days gone by r..t... "
You'd have known her by the merrimen
that sparkled in her eye, 1920. p
Too innocent for coquetry, too fond TO
idle scorning: g. .. --- 8. -a.
All! Friend, l fear the lightsest hear
makes sometimes heaviest mourning
Tell her the last night of my life (for er
the moon be risen .-..-,.. .-.-
My body will be out Of pain, my soul b
: out of PRISON.
/ l drcam'd stood with her, and saw tn
+. ; yellow sunlight shine
i On the vine clad hills of Bingen, swee
Bingen on the Rhine e.. -. ..-
e Il saw the blue Rhine sweep along;
e heard, or seem'd to hear, @stsg
i The German song we used to sing in che
rus sweet aud clear .. -r... "a.
d And down the pleasant river and the u
}. slanting hill
J; The echoing chorus sounded through tt
: srd evening calm and still, -il
e And her glad blue eyes were on me as "
.s.. passed in friendly talk. -.s....
It Down many path beloved of yore, an
le well remembered walk,
d And her little hand lay lightly, conGdinl
is 81 ly in mine, H"# F Ash71
,e But we'll meet no more at Bingen, de-
le Binger on the Rhine!" a .s O..
le His voice grew faint and hoarse, his graz
r was childish weak; Eaa q"
lie His eye put on dying look, he sigh
IS and ceased to speak; ~ ......
~ His comrade bent to lift him, but the spa
of life had fed
Of The soldier Of the Legion in a foreign Ia,
ce g lay dead: F 's a
il And the soft moon rose up slowly, al
Ill i calmly she looked down .-.s
d, On the red sands of that battle-6 field, wi
p, +. bloody corses strewn-- ...
Yes, calmly on that dreadful scene b
pale light seemed to shine,
Nd As it shone on distant Bingen, fair Bing
De on the Rhine -Iif.".
is ..... -------->.>---- .....
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