按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Ballads of Peace in War
by Michael Earls
HIS LIGHT
Gray mist on the sea；
And the night coming down；
She stays with sorrow
In a far town。
He goes the sea…ways
By channel lights dim；
Her love； a true light；
Watches for him。
They would be wedded
On a fair yesterday；
But the quick regiment
Saw him away。
Gray mist in her eyes
And the night coming down：
He feels a prayer
From a far town。
He goes the sea…ways；
The land lights are dim；
She and an altar light
Keep watch for him。
1
THE COUNTERSIGN
Along Virginia's wondering roads
While armies hastened on；
To Beauregard's great Southern host；
Manassas fields upon；
Came Colonel Smith's good regiment；
Eager for Washington。
But Colonel Smith must halt his men
In a dangerous delay；
Though well he knows the countryside
To the distant host of grey。
He cannot join with Beauregard
For Bull Run's bloody fray。
And does he halt for storm or ford；
Or does he stay to dine？
Say； No！ but death will meet his men；
Onward if moves the line：
He dares not hurry to Beauregard；
Not knowing the countersign。
Flashed in the sun his waving sword；
〃Who rides for me？〃 he cried；
〃And ask of the Chief the countersign；
Upon a daring ride；
Though never the lad come back again
With the good that will betide。
〃I will send a letter to Beauregard；〃
The Colonel slowly said；
〃The bearer dies at the pickets' line；
But the letter shall be read
When the pickets find it for the Chief；
In the brave hand of the dead。〃
2
The Countersign
〃Ready I ride to the Chief for the sign；〃
Said little Dan O'Shea；
〃Though never I come from the picket's line；
But a faded suit of grey：
Yet over my death will the road be safe；
And the regiment march away。〃
〃In a mother's name； I bless thee； lad；〃
The Colonel drew him near：
〃But first in the name of God；〃 said Dan；
〃And then is my mother's dear…
Her own good lips that taught me well；
With the Cross of Christ no fear。〃
Quickly he rode by valley and hill；
On to the outpost line；
Till the pickets arise by wall and mound；
And the levelled muskets shine；
〃Halt！〃 they cried； 〃count three to death；
Or give us the countersign。〃
Lightly the lad leaped from his steed；
No fear was in his sigh；
But a mother's face and a home he loved
Under an Irish sky：
He made the Sign of the Cross and stood；
Bravely he stood to die。
Lips in a prayer at the blessed Sign；
And calmly he looked around；
And wonder seized his waiting soul
To hear no musket sound；
But only the pickets calling to him；
Heartily up the mound。
For this was the order of Beauregard
Around his camp that day…
The Sign of the Cross was countersign；
（And a blessing to Dan O'Shea）
And the word came quick to Colonel Smith
For the muster of the grey。
3
A HILL O' LIGHTS
Turn from Kerry crossroads and leave the wooded dells；
Take the mountain path and find where Tip O'Leary dwells；
Tip O'Leary is the name； I sing it all day long；
And every bird whose heart is wise will have it for a song。
Tip O'Leary keeps the lights of many lamps aglow；
Little matters it to him the seasons come or go；
Sure if spring is in the air his hedges are abloom；
And fairy buds like candles shine across his garden room。
Roses in the June days are light the miles around；
Tapers of the fuchsias move along the August ground；
Sumachs light the flaming torches by October's grave
And like the campfires on the hills the oaks and maples wave。
All the lights but only one die out when summer goes；
One that Tip O'Leary keeps is brighter than the rose；
Through the window comes the bloom on any winter night；
And every sense goes wild to it； soft and sweet and bright。
Lamps are fair that have the light from flowers all day long；
When the birds are here and sing the Tip O'Leary song；
But a winter window is the fairest rose of all；
When Tip O'Leary's hearth is lit and lamps upon the wall。
4
OFF TO THE WAR
（For Jack）
In a little ship and down the bay；
Out to the calling sea；
A young brave lad sailed off today；
To the one great war went he：
The one long war all men must know
Greater than land or gold；
Soul is the prince and flesh the foe
Of a kingdom Christ will hold。
With arms of faith and hope well…wrought
The brave lad went away；
And the voice of Christ fills all his thought；
Under two hands that pray：
The tender love of a mother's hands
That guarded all his years；
Fitted the armor； plate and bands；
And blessed them with her tears。
Older than Rhodes and Ascalon
And the farthest forts of sea；
Is the Master voice that calls him on
From the hills in Galilee：
From hills where Christ in gentle guise
Called； as He calls again；
With His heart of love and His love…lit eyes
Unto His warrior men。
Christ with the brave young lad to…day
Who goes to the sweet command；
Strengthen his heart wherever the way；
Whether he march or stand：
And whether he die in a peaceful cell；
Or alone in the lonely night；
The Cross of Christ shall keep him well；
And be his death's delight。
5
THE TOWERS OF HOLY CROSS
（For W。 M。 Letts）
The roads look up to Holy Cross；
The sturdy towers look down；
And show a kindly word to all
Who pass by Worcester Town；
And once you'd see the boys at play；
Or marching cap and gown。
The gallant towers at Holy Cross
Are silent night and day；
A few young lads are left behind
Who still may take their play；
The Cross and Flag look out afar
For them that went away。
And mine are gone； says Beaven Hall；
To camps by hill and plain；
And mine along by Newport Sea；
Says the high tower of O'Kane；
I follow mine； Alumni calls；
Across the watery main。
Their sires were in the old Brigade
That won at Fontenoy；
Stood true at Washington's right hand；
that were his faith and joy：
From Holy Cross to Fredericksburg
Is many a gallant boy。
Then God be with you； says the Cross；
And the brave towers looking down；
I'll be your cloth； sings out the Flag；
For other cap and gown；
And may we see you safe again；
On the hills of Worcester Town。
6
ALWAYS MAYTIME
（for Gerry）
When May has spent its little song；
And richer comes the June；
Through former eyes the heart will long
For May again in tune；
Though large with promise hope may be；
By future visions cast；
Our memoried thoughts will yearn to see
The happy little past。
And you； my loyal little friend；
（From May to June you go）；
What years of loyalty attend
Great comradeship we know；
Yet joy have me in place of tears
To see your road depart；
For whether east or west your years；
A friend stays home at heart。
Then gladly let the Springtime pass
And Summer in its wake；
Ahead are fields of flower and grass
All fragrant for your sake：
With hearts of joy we say farewell；
With laughter； wave and nod；
It's always May for us who dwell
In seasons close to God。
7
THE STORYTELLER
Tim of the Tales they call me；
With a welcome heart and hand；
But li