Strange sights for strange eyes as the old cities burn, And battle and siege follow each in their turn. I have heard the faint note of the last sentry’s call, And seen the white flag flutter out o’er the wall; I have bound up death wounds lying dark and alone, And the language that blessed me was strange and unknown. The homeless and famished clung wild with despair, And the noble and gentle have cherished me there. Still trustingly,--loyally: loving and true, Anxious and glad, I am coming to you. Have ye place, each beloved one, a place in your prayer, Have ye _room_, my dear countrymen, room for me there? How the strength rose and fell in those perilous years! What torture it made of my hopes and my fears, When I joyed in its rise or wept for its fall, It was never myself that I thought of at all. But if only once more I might tread the loved land, And toil for its weal with my heart, and my hand; Have ye place, each beloved one, a place in your prayer, Have ye _work_, my brave countrymen, work for me there? Plow on, old Parthia, steady and true, Each plunge of thy prow brings them nearer to view; Brings me nearer the days that shall settle the doubt If they’ve kept me within--or have left me without. For my feeble hands failed while care rested on all, And trouble and grief wrapped them round like a pall. Who shall say that the storms have not scattered my sheaves, Or the winter winds buried the fallen autumn leaves, Or the gaping seas closed without anger or frown, And the freighted ships crowd where the lone wreck went down? _Have_ ye place, each beloved one, a place in your prayer, Have ye _room_, my dear countrymen, room for me there? STEAMSHIP PARTHIA, MID-ATLANTIC _October 8, 1873_ CHAPTER V THE YEARS OF SICKNESS AND RECOVERY 1873-1880 Clara Barton came back from Europe wearing the jewel of the Red Cross presented to her by Queen Natalie of Serbia. She was the only person in America who then, or for nine years thereafter, wore the Red Cross. She was the sole person in the United States who, by service or any form of official recognition, was entitled to that decoration. She wore also the Iron Cross of Merit, presented to her by the Emperor and Empress of Germany. She wore a Gold Cross of Remembrance, presented to her by the Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden; and from Louise, the Grand Duchess, she wore, and prized beyond all wealth, a magnificent amethyst, said to have been the finest amethyst in this country. From poor, defeated France she wore no official decoration, but she brought the love and gratitude of innumerable people there to whom she had ministered.