In War Time, and Other Poems/To Samuel E. Sewall and Harriet W. Sewall, of Melrose

by John Greenleaf Whittier

TO

SAMUEL E. SEWALL

AND

HARRIET W. SEWALL,

OF MELROSE.

 

Olor Iscanus queries: "Why should weVex at the land's ridiculous miserie?"So on his Usk banks, in the blood-red dawnOf England's civil strife, did careless VaughanBemock his times. O friends of many years!Though faith and trust are stronger than our fears,And the signs promise peace with liberty,Not thus we trifle with our country's tearsAnd sweat of agony. The future's gainIs certain as God's truth; but, meanwhile, painIs bitter and tears are salt: our voices takeA sober tone; our very household songsAre heavy with a nation's griefs and wrongs;And innocent mirth is chastened for the sakeOf the brave hearts that nevermore shall beat,The eyes that smile no more, the unreturning feet!