130
A WOMAN'S WAITING.
We had been neighhours from childhood up,
Gone to school by the self-same way,
Climbed the same steep woodland paths,
Knelt in the same old church to pray.
Gone to school by the self-same way,
Climbed the same steep woodland paths,
Knelt in the same old church to pray.
We had wandered together, boy and girl,
Where wild flowers grew and wild grapes hung,
Tasted the sweetness of summer days
When hearts were true and life was young.
Where wild flowers grew and wild grapes hung,
Tasted the sweetness of summer days
When hearts were true and life was young.
But never a love word had crossed his lips,
Never a hint of pledge or vow,
Until, as the sun went down that night,
His tremulous kisses touched my brow:—
Never a hint of pledge or vow,
Until, as the sun went down that night,
His tremulous kisses touched my brow:—
"Jenny," he said, "I've a work to do
For God and my country and the right,—
True hearts, strong arms, are needed now,
I must not linger when others fight.
For God and my country and the right,—
True hearts, strong arms, are needed now,
I must not linger when others fight.
