“HE’LL SEE IT WHEN HE WAKES.”
Reading edition
By FRANK LEE.
[In “Bugle Echoes” Mr. Francis F. Browne introduces this poem with the following note: “In one of the battles in Virginia, a gallant young Mississippian had fallen, and at night, just before burying him, there came a letter from his betrothed. One of the burial group took the letter and laid it upon the breast of the dead soldier, with the words: ‘Bury it with him. He’ll see it when he wakes.’”—Editor.]
Amid the clouds of battle-smoke The sun had died away, And where the storm of battle broke A thousand warriors lay. A band of friends upon the field Stood round a youthful form Who, when the war-cloud’s thunder pealed, Had perished in the storm. Upon his forehead, on his hair, The coming moonlight breaks, And each dear brother standing there A tender farewell takes. But ere they laid him in his home There came a comrade near, And gave a token that had come From her the dead held dear. A moment’s doubt upon them pressed, Then one the letter takes, And lays it low upon his breast— “He’ll see it when he wakes.” O thou who dost in sorrow wait, Whose heart with anguish breaks, Though thy dear message came too late, “He’ll see it when he wakes.” No more amid the fiery storm Shall his strong arm be seen; No more his young and manly form Tread Mississippi’s green; And e’en thy tender words of love— The words affection speaks— Came all too late; but oh! thy love “Will see them when he wakes.” No jars disturb his gentle rest, No noise his slumber breaks, But thy words sleep upon his breast— “He’ll see them when he wakes.” [Southern.]
