Will they tell her her glories have fled or grown pale? That she bends to a tyrant in shame? Will they trample her glorious flag in the dust, Or load with reproaches her name? Will they fly from her shores, or desert her in need? Will _Virginians_ their backs ever turn On their mother, and fly when the danger is nigh, And her claim to their fealty spurn? False, false is the heart that refuses to yield The love that Virginia doth claim; And base is the tongue that could utter the lie, That charges his mother with shame. A blot on her 'scutcheon! a stain on her name! Our heart's blood should wipe it away; We should die for her honor, and count it a boon Her mandates to heed and obey. But never, oh, never, let human tongue say She is false to her honor or fame! She is true to her past--to her future she's true-- And Virginia has never known shame. Then shame on the dastard, the recreant fool, That _would strike_, _in the dark_, at her now; That would coldly refuse her fair fame to uphold, That would basely prove false to his vow. But no! it can not--it can never be true, That Virginia claims one single child, That would ever prove false to his home or his God, Or be with foul treason defiled. And the man that could succor her enemies _now_, Even though on her soil he were born, Is so base, so inhuman, so false and so vile, That Virginia disowns him with scorn! _Richmond Examiner._ WAR SONG. BY A. B. MEEK, OF MOBILE. Wouldst thou have me love thee, dearest, With a woman's proudest heart, Which shall ever hold thee nearest, Shrined in its inmost heart? Listen, then! My country's calling On her sons to meet the foe! Leave these groves of rose and myrtle, Drop the dreamy hand of love! Like young Koerner, scorn the turtle When the eagle screams above! Dost thou pause? Let dotards dally-- Do thou for thy country fight! 'Neath her noble emblem rally-- "God! our country, and her right!" Listen! now her trumpet's calling On her sons to meet the foe! Woman's heart is soft and tender, But 'tis proud and faithful, too; Shall she be her land's defender? Lover! soldier? up and do! Seize thy father's ancient falchion, Which once flashed as freedom's star! Till sweet peace--the bow and halcyon, Still'd the stormy strife of war! Listen! now thy country's calling On her sons to meet the foe! Sweet is love in moonlight bowers! Sweet the altar and the flame! Sweet is spring-time with her flowers! Sweeter far the patriot's name!