Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/142

24 'Twas the time when the Southern soldiers,
 * Under Early's mad command,

O'er the border made their dashing raid
 * From the north of Maryland;

And Chambersburg, unransomed,
 * In smouldering ruins slept ;

While up the vale, like a fiery gale,
 * The rebel raiders swept.

And a squad of gray-clad horsemen
 * Came thundering o'er the bridge,

Where peaceful cows in the meadows browse
 * At the foot of the great Blue Ridge ;

And on till they reached the village
 * That fair in the valley lay,

Defenceless then—for its loyal men
 * At the front were far away.

"Pillage and spoil and plunder!"
 * This was the fearful word

That the Widow Brown, in gazing down
 * From her latticed window, heard.

'Neath the boughs of the sheltering oak-tree
 * The leader bared his head,

As left and right, until out of sight,
 * His dusty gray-coats sped.

Then he called "Halloo, within there!"
 * A gentle, fair-haired dame

Across the floor to the open door
 * In gracious answer came.

"Here, stable my horse, you woman!"
 * The soldier's tones were rude;

"Then bestir yourself, and from yonder shelf
 * Set out your store of food!"

For her guest she spread the table;
 * She motioned him to his place

With a gesture proud; then the widow bowed,
 * And gently asked a grace.