89. Virginia's message to the Southern States.
I.You dared not think I'd never come;
You could not doubt your Mother;
If traitorous chains had crushed my form,
My soul with yours had hovered.
Yes, children, I have come;
We'll stand together — we'll be one;
Brave dangers, death, and wars begun!
II.
Where should this struggle work and end?
Where should this conflict be?
Where should we all our rights defend,
And gain our liberty?
Upon my soil your swords you'll wield;
Upon my soil your homes you'll shield;
And on my soil your foes shall yield!
III.
Where, but on my mountain's heights,
And on my rivers' banks,--
Where, but 'neath my heavens' lights,
And in my children's camps,
Shall all the blood be shed,
In streams of living red,
And all our foes be dead?
VI.
Upon this earth is there a spot
So fit to give a battle-field?
In all the country, there is not,
Nor one so brave to shield.
If you doubt it, scorn History's pages;
If you doubt it, mark other ages,
And come together for the war that rages!
V.
Then, soldiers brave, come forth!
You sons of noble mothers!
They'll chide you if you're loath,
And yield your homes to others.
Mothers!
send them, then, without a tear;
Bid them go, and make all earth revere
Their country's honor and a soldier's bier!
