WOULD'ST THOU HAVE ME LOVE THEE?
by Alexander B. Meek

Would'st thou have me love thee, dearest,
    With a woman's proudest heart,
Which shall ever hold thee nearest,
    Shrined in its inmost heart?
Listen, then, my country's calling
    On her sons to meet the foe!
Leave these groves of rose and myrtle;
    Drop thy dreamy harp of love!
Like young Kornor, scorn the turtle
    When the eagle screams above!
    
Dost thou pause? Let dastards dally,
    Do thou for thy country fight!
'Neath her noble emblem rally --
    "God, our country, and our right"!
Listen! now her trumpets calling
    On her sons to meet the foe!
Woman's heart is soft and tender,
    But 'tis proud and faithful too:
Shall she be her land's defender?
    Lover! soldier! up and do!
    
Seize thy father's ancient falchion,
    Which once flashed as freedom's star:
'Til sweet peace -- the bow and halycon --
    Stilled the stormy strife of war.
Listen, now thy country's calling
    On her sons to meet the foe!
Sweet is love in moonlight bowers!
    Sweet the altar and the flame;
Sweet the spring-time with her flowers;
    Sweeter far the patriot's name.
    
Should the God who smiles above thee
    Doom thee to a soldier's grave,
Hearts will break, but fame will love thee,
    Canonized among the brave!
Listen! now thy country's calling
    On her sons to meet the foe!
Rather would I view thee lying
    On the last red field of strife,
'Mid thy country's heroes dying,
    Than become a dastard's wife!

The Home Front

This page is http://civilwarpoetry.org/confederate/homefront/wouldst.html
Last modified 16-April-2001