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'd Where thund'ring cannons rattle, Where valour's self might stand appall'd When on the wings of thy dear love, To heaven above Thy fervent orisons are flown; The tender pray'r Thou put'st up there, Shall call a guardian angel down, To watch me in the battle.
My safety thy fair truth shall be As 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 smile Some 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.
