Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/29

Rh And so—fair Annie blooms no more! And that's the matter with your folks.

"See, this long curl was kept for you; And this white blossom from her breast; And here, your sister Bessie wrote A letter telling all the rest. Bear up, old friend." Nobody speaks; Only the old camp-raven croaks, And soldiers whisper: &quot;Boys, be still; There's some bad news from Granger's folks.&quot;

He turns his back (the only foe That ever saw it) on this grief, And, as men will, keeps down the tears Kind Nature sends to Woe's relief. Then answers he: "Ay, Hal, I'll try; But in my throat there's something chokes, Because, you see, I've thought so long To count her in among our folks.

"I s'pose she must be happy now, But still I will keep thinking too I could have kept all trouble off By being tender, kind, and true. But maybe not. She's safe up there; And when the Hand deals other strokes, She'll stand by heaven's gate, I know, And wait to welcome in our folks."