Strong arms and a conquerless spirit We bring as our glory and guard: If courage a triumph can merit, Then Freedom shall be our reward. With "God and our Right!" etc. Beneath the high sanction of Heaven, We'll fight as our forefathers fought; Then pray that to us may be given Such guerdon as fell to their lot. With "God and our Right!" etc. THE SOLDIER BOY. BY H. M. L. I give my soldier boy a blade, In fair Damascus fashioned well; Who first the glittering falchion swayed, Who first beneath its fury fell, I know not: but I hope to know That for no mean or hireling trade, To guard no feeling, base or low, I give my soldier boy a blade. Cool, calm, and clear, the lucid flood, In which its tempering work was done; As calm, as clear, as clear of mood Be thou whene'er it sees the sun; For country's claim, at honor's call, For outraged friend, insulted maid, At mercy's voice to bid it fall, I give my soldier boy a blade. The eye which marked its peerless edge, The hand that weighed its balanced poise, Anvil and pincers, forge and wedge, Are gone with all their flame and noise; And still the gleaming sword remains. So when in dust I low am laid, Remember by these heartfelt strains, I give my soldier boy a blade. LYNCHBURG, VA., _May 18, 1861_. A SOUTHERN GATHERING SONG. BY L. VIRGINIA FRENCH. AIR--"_Hail Columbia_."[9] Sons of the South, beware the foe! Hark to the murmur deep and low, Rolling up like the coming storm, Swelling up like sounding storm, Hoarse as the hurricanes that brood In space's far infinitude! Minute guns of omen boom Through the future's folded gloom; Sounds prophetic fill the air, Heed the warning--and prepare! Watch! be wary--every hour Mark the foeman's gathering power-- Keep watch and ward upon his track And crush the rash invader back! Sons of the brave!--a barrier stanch Breasting the alien avalanche-- Manning the battlements of RIGHT; Up, for your _Country_, "_God, and right!_" Form your battalions steadily, And strike for death or victory! Surging onward sweeps the wave, Serried columns of the brave, Banded 'neath the benison Of Freedom's godlike Washington! Stand! but should the invading foe Aspire to lay your altars low, Charge on the tyrant ere he gain Your iron arteried domain! Sons of the brave! when tumult trod The tide of revolution--God Looked from His throne on "the things of time," And two new stars in the reign of time He bade to burn in the azure dome-- The freeman's LOVE and the freeman's HOME! Holy of Holies! guard them well, Baffle the despot's secret spell, And let the chords of life be riven Ere you yield those gifts of Heaven! _Io paean!_ trumpet notes Shake the air where our banner floats; _Io triumphe!_ still we see _The land of the South is the home of the free!_