National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-23
IN THE OLD DOMINION.

wharf, winch shc VIII reach Ill tue morning.
IN THE OLD DOMINION.
/.
Love, as nll the poets sing,
Long ago was wonderful thing,
And ere their earliest songs were sung.
When the world itself was simple and young,
Sigh tear, kiss and murmuring tone,
Hearts and darts, were not unknown.
ii.
Twas the dreamy calm of summer night,
The full moon shOne dlvinely bright,
Among the toll, dark, drowsy trees
Stole now and anon a timid breeze,
As If in dread, through its intricate path,
To rouse some giants reckless wrath,
And far away, in strange tones low,
The rapid river. was heard to low,
While insect calls, subdued or shrill,
Made silence seem more silent still.
III.
But sounds assured attract the ear:
Two hoTsemen side by side appear;
Ono follows as of lesser state,
Whose duty Is, to serve and wait.
".
The friends are officers, both young,
Brave, wise and handsome. Yet among
A thousand shall you scarcely find
A soldier of the hero Kind
Like him the younger. Time shall sec
The wonder of his work, and be
Proud to proclaim It. But, to please,
Not prophesy: They rode at ease,
Conversing In q careless strain,
W WaTs and oys sweet pain
"The dame of York her arrow sped,
And yet you liyel Unwounded, too!
still, George, another waits for you!
Her strong bow bends with cruel power?
Look to II that in every part
Your armor shall repulse the dartr'
~ fear not-lV $50 ever say
The bravest-ere they must obey!
Love laughs to scorn the valiant knight;
Loves little hand, soft warm, and light,
Far more invincible attacks
Than sword or mace or battle aXr'
'Indeed blde the charged" "You blde
No longer on the winning side"
what mean your only destiny
Virginia has no nober tree
Than, with unconquerable arms,
"For which nothing care p "The proof!
One hour beneath that magic roof!
our urdu duty urges on. They watts '"'''
"Why, let them, then, a little more
What harm? ring my challenge o'erF'
TohoIse again r. "Hou shall no doubtH'
Under the grand ancestral oak, .u
Lights from the windows brighter broke,
And music issued forth, and bark :,
A song wound thrilling through the park
Advancing by the happy road
That led ID beauty's bless abode:
Thought George: "lhe youth shall take his
And lei Tie lady, too, take him;
j lose a friend, but she will gain
More than common country swain"
"Unseen, unieared! The Gods above,
Great Jove himself must yield TO love;
And George is only mAn-though more
Assuming" Riding on before
The challenger thus unused IN mind.
The sergeant riding, slow behind,
Employed him not In thought SO deep:
Sternly he sat, and fllst asleep
pass the introduction, pass
The changeiul show of Cupid's glass,
The courteous words, the music sweet.
VIII.
Without. the horses stamp their feet
The sergeant, holding fast the reins,
lmpatienty, Of Time complains,
Who, careless Of the special wrong,
"Only IN hour" can SO prolong!
But 10, they come!-not both one rides.
The sleed OF George, attended, bides!
X.
And Gcorgc?-the music died away,
All song, all words: with Gssened ray,
Few windows shone. The good old h1st,
Whose patience bad become ghost,
~ length prevailed upon his guest
10 seek CHAMBERS Cuftalneu rest;
The night had grown so late and wild,
AID stoTmclouds round the moon were piled
NJ.
What mattercd that the dArkened hours
Were violent with thunder showers?
What matterod that the lightning sprang,
That all the winds In chorus sang,
And like battle in the cloud,
The striking trees were shouting loud?
A lover slept, n lover dreamed:
a Paradise the garden seemed,
Wheroir-what iances lovers aid -
With perfect Eve he talked and strayel
XII.
What mattered all the darkenCd hours,
| The winds, the lightnlngs lhunders showers
| A sergeant slept, sergeant woke,
| A gTOan, and now an oath, outbrokc.
| A soldiers duty Is: Obey
| The blacklist night will blush TO day!
| Like the Pompeian sentinel,
| Who stood when all the heavens down fell
| In fire ana ashes, so stood he
Or Fat his charger faithfully
XIII.
Morn and his master came Mt last.
| Away the steeds They gallon fast
XIV.
| A thought Ia duty on before
| \ thousand thoughts TO love, or more
! That gCm'strawn mornings glorious sun
liud seen the Bride Of Washington
sEAToS DoNoHO,