Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/143

Rh "'If thine enemy hunger, feed him!'
 * I obey, clear Christ," she said.

A creeping blush, with its scarlet flush,
 * O'er the face of the soldier spread.

He rose. "You have said it, madame!
 * Standing within your doors

Is the rebel foe; but as forth they go
 * They shall trouble not you nor yours!"

Alas for the word of the leader!
 * Alas for the soldier's vow!

When the captain's men rode down the glen,
 * They drove the widow's cow.

It was then the fearless Jamie
 * Sprang up with flashing eyes,

And in spite of tears and his mother's fears,
 * On the gray mare off he flies.

Like a wild young Tam O'Shanter
 * He plunged with piercing whoop,

O'er field and brook, till he overtook
 * The straggling rebel troop,—

Laden with spoil and plunder,
 * And laughing and shouting still,

As with cattle and sheep they lazily creep
 * Through the dust o'er the winding hill.

"Oh the coward crowd!" cried Jamie.
 * "There's Brindle! I'll teach them now!"

And with headlong stride, at the captain's side,
 * He called for his mother's cow.

"Who are you, and who is your mother?
 * I promised she should not miss?

Well! upon my word, have I never heard
 * Of assurance like to this!"

"Is your word the word of a soldier?"
 * And the young lad faced his foes,

As a jeering laugh, in anger half
 * And half in sport, arose.