Text divider from 'Flowers of the Forest', an undated chapbook printed in Haddington
The Soldier's Adieu.
Adieu! adieu! my only life,My honour calls me from thee!Remember thou'rt a soldier's wife,Those tears but ill become thee.What tho' by duty I am call'dWhere thund'ring cannons rattle,Where valour's self might stand appall'dWhen on the wings of thy dear love,To heaven aboveThy fervent orisons are flown;The tender pray'rThou put'st up there,Shall call a guardian angel down,To watch me in the battle.
My safety thy fair truth shall beAs sword and buckler serving:My life shall be more dear to me,Because of thy preserving;Let peril come, let horror threat,Let thund'ring cannons rattle,I fearless seek the conflict's heat,Assur'd, when on the wings of love,To heaven above, &c.
Enough with that benignant smileSome kindred god inspired thee,Who saw thy bosom void of guile,Who wonder'd and admir'd thee.I go, assured, my life, adieu!Tho' thund'ring cannons rattle;Tho' murd'ring carnage stalk in view,When on the wings of thy true love,To heaven above, &c.