Classic Poem

Within his breast the gift he placed,
That guide of youth and age,
A gentle sister's name was traced
Upon its blessed page.

On to the strife the soldier press'd,
With inmost spirit stirr'd,
For 'mid the scenes of joy and rest,
His martial vow was heard.

The rattling hail went sweeping by,
Upon a field of gore,
Stern death was out, careering high,
'Mid havoc's deafening roar.

The youthful hero still advanced,
With heart of Spartan mould,
The standard to the breeze that danced
Had made his bosom bold.

A booming shot—a ball speeds on,
Swift messenger of death,
It strikes, but like the flash 'tis gone,
For heaven prolongs the breath.

Like bulwark stern that book of God,
Had turn'd the shaft aside,
And still the battle-plain he trod,
And braved the scathing tide.

Oh! thus when waging war with sin,
When daring lusts we quell,
Encased God's blessed word within,
We quench the darts of hell.