• Author: Unknown
• Editor: B-8266
• Newspaper: The Umpire volume V
• Page Number:
• Date: 8 21 1918
• Tags:
• poetry

A SOLDIER

Dear God, I raised my boy to be a soldier; I tried to make him strong of will and true; I told him many a tale of deeds heroic. The noblest and the sweetest tales I knew.

In thought, he shared the charge at Balaclava; With the Swiss Guard o‘ermastered coward Death; With Gordon all renounced; with Scott and Peary Breathed in his ardent youth heroic breath.

A little lad, he wept for wounded Sidney, For Bayard, sans reproche, who knew no fears, Yet, hurt himself, if one but said-‘‘My Soldier!‘‘ Straightway he smiled and swallowed down his tears.

I taught him that the brave are full of mercy : That gentleness and love to strength belong; That honor is the only high adventure, And goodness the one everlasting song!

And so I raised my boy to be’a soldier; A patriot soldier, brave, devoted, free! And now, and now-with grateful trust, O Father! I give him to my country and to thee!