The Young Soldier

The Young Soldier.

“ Jeune soldat, où vas-tu ? ”

“ Je vais combattre pour Dieu et les autels de la patrie ;pour la justice ; pour la sainte cause des peuples ; pour lesdroits sacrés du genre humain. ”

“ Que tes armes soient bénies, jeune soldat ! ”

Lamennais. “ Young soldier, whither goest thou ?” “ Wherever sorrow goes, I go. Sorrow I count my deadly foe. I walk ’mid miserable men, Prostrate within dark Falsehood’s den, Proclaiming truth and right. Snake-like, each tyrant hides his head ; Behold ! the oppressed ones all are fled, A light breaks o’er the sullen land, As Joy and Peace come hand in hand, And Right o’ercometh Might.” “ Blessed be thy arms, young soldier !” “ Young soldier, whither goest thou ?” “ To search out men of wicked ways, Enmeshed in error’s foulest maze ; To break the prisoner’s bar and chain ; Freedom give to the slaves again, Who groan beneath the sky. Behold, grim kings on dusky thrones, Unheeding hear their piteous moans. ‘ Onward !’ I shout—‘ for liberty !’ We triumph, and the land is free— God hears his people’s cry.” “ Blessed be thy arms, young soldier !” “ Young soldier, whither goest thou ?” “ I go to fight, that none may scorn The day on which his son was born ; That brother may not grieve to see Ilis sister fading silently, Like early flowers in spring ; That none a savage warfare rage Against the poor man’s heritage ; That little children may not cry, ‘ O give us bread, or else we die !’ Lord, shield them ’neath thy wing !” “ Blessed be thy arms, young soldier !” “ Young soldier, whither goest thou ?” “ With spear in hand, I gladly go ; All social barriers overthrow ; Preparing for the God-like plan— Confederated man and man, A brotherhood of love ;— Peace, justice, and the people’s cause, Based upon God’s eternal laws ; Born in a new and finer birth— One God in heaven, one home on earth— A happy home on earth to prove The goodness of our God above.” “ God bless thee, soldier, seven times seven, And give thy soul a place in heaven !”