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| THE TATTOO 1 beats,—the lights are gone, | |
| The camp around in slumber lies, | |
| The night with solemn pace moves on, | |
| The shadows thicken o’er the skies; | |
| But sleep my weary eyes hath flown, | 5 |
| And sad, uneasy thoughts arise. | |
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| I think of thee, O darling one, | |
| Whose love my early life hath blest— | |
| Of thee and him—our baby son— | |
| Who slumbers on thy gentle breast. | 10 |
| God of the tender, frail, and lone, | |
| O, guard the tender sleeper’s rest! | |
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| And hover gently, hover near | |
| To her whose watchful eye is wet,— | |
| To mother, wife,—the doubly dear, | 15 |
| In whose young heart have freshly met | |
| Two streams of love so deep and clear, | |
| And cheer her drooping spirits yet. | |
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| Now, while she kneels before thy throne, | |
| O, teach her, Ruler of the skies, | 20 |
| That, while by thy behest alone | |
| Earth’s mightiest powers fall and rise, | |
| No tear is wept to thee unknown, | |
| No hair is lost, no sparrow dies! | |
| |
| That thou canst stay the ruthless hands | 25 |
| Of dark disease, and soothe its pain; | |
| That only by thy stern commands | |
| The battle ’s lost, the soldier ’s slain; | |
| That from the distant sea or land | |
| Thou bring’st the wanderer home again. | 30 |
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| And when upon her pillow lone | |
| Her tear-wet cheek is sadly pressed, | |
| May happier visions beam upon | |
| The brightened current of her breast, | |
| No frowning look or angry tone | 35 |
| Disturb the Sabbath of her rest! | |
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| Whatever fate these forms may show, | |
| Loved with a passion almost wild, | |
| By day, by night, in joy or woe, | |
| By fears oppressed, or hopes beguiled, | 40 |
| From every danger, every foe, | |
| O God, protect my wife and child! | |
