| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| The Soldier-Boy |
| | | William Maginn (1793–1842) |
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| I GIVE my soldier-boy a blade, | |
| In fair Damascus fashion’d well; | |
| Who first the glittering falchion sway’d, | |
| Who first beneath its fury fell, | |
| I know not; but I hope to know | 5 |
| That for no mean or hireling trade, | |
| To guard no feeling base or low, | |
| I give my soldier-boy a blade. | |
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| Cool, calm, and clear, the lucid flood | |
| In which its tempering work was done: | 10 |
| As calm, as clear, as cool 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, | 15 |
| I give my soldier-boy a blade. | |
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| The eye which mark’d its peerless edge, | |
| The hand that weigh’d its balanced poise, | |
| Anvil and pincers, forge and wedge, | |
| Are gone with all their flame and noise— | 20 |
| And still the gleaming sword remains; | |
| So, when in dust I low am laid, | |
| Remember by these heart-felt strains, | |
| I gave my soldier-boy a blade. | |
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