Poems Teachers Ask For Volume I Part 24

_Mary H. Krout._

Barbara Frietchie

Up from the meadows rich with corn Clear in the cool September morn,

The cl.u.s.tered spires of Frederick stand Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.

Round about them orchards sweep, Apple and peach tree fruited deep,

Fair as the garden of the Lord To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,

On that pleasant morn of the early fall When Lee marched over the mountain-wall,--

Over the mountains winding down, Horse and foot, into Frederick town.

Forty flags with their silver stars, Forty flags with their crimson bars,

Flapped in the morning wind; the sun Of noon looked down, and saw not one.

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;

Bravest of all in Frederick town, She took up the flag the men hauled down;

In her attic window the staff she set, To show that one heart was loyal yet.

Up the street came the rebel tread, Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.

Under his slouched hat left and right He glanced; the old flag met his sight.

"Halt!"--the dust-brown ranks stood fast.

"Fire!"--out blazed the rifle-blast.

It s.h.i.+vered the window, pane and sash; It rent the banner with seam and gash.

Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff Dame Barbara s.n.a.t.c.hed the silken scarf;

She leaned far out on the window-sill, And shook it forth with a royal will.

"Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country's flag," she said.

A shade of sadness, a blush of shame, Over the face of the leader came;

The n.o.bler nature within him stirred To life at that woman's deed and word:

"Who touches a hair of yon gray head Dies like a dog; march on!" he said.

All day long through Frederick street Sounded the tread of marching feet;

All day long that free flag tost Over the heads of the rebel host.

Ever its torn folds rose and fell On the loyal winds that loved it well;

And through the hill-gaps sunset light Shone over it a warm good night.

Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er.

And the Rebel rides on his raids no more.

Honor to her! and let a tear Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier.

Over Barbara Frietchie's grave, Flag of freedom and Union wave!

Peace and order and beauty draw Round thy symbol of light and law;

And ever the stars above look down On thy stars below in Frederick town.

_John G. Whittier._

I Want to Go to Morrow

I started on a journey just about a week ago, For the little town of Morrow, in the State of Ohio.

I never was a traveler, and really didn't know That Morrow had been ridiculed a century or so.

I went down to the depot for my ticket and applied For the tips regarding Morrow, not expecting to be guyed.

Said I, "My friend, I want to go to Morrow and return Not later than to-morrow, for I haven't time to burn."

Said he to me, "Now let me see if I have heard you right, You want to go to Morrow and come back to-morrow night.

You should have gone to Morrow yesterday and back to-day, For if you started yesterday to Morrow, don't you see, You could have got to Morrow and returned to-day at three.

The train that started yesterday--now understand me right-- To-day it gets to Morrow, and returns to-morrow night."

Said I, "My boy, it seems to me you're talking through your hat, Is there a town named Morrow on your line? Now tell me that."

"There is," said he, "and take from me a quiet little tip-- To go from here to Morrow is a fourteen-hour trip.

The train that goes to Morrow leaves to-day eight-thirty-five; Half after ten to-morrow is the time it should arrive.

Now if from here to Morrow is a fourteen-hour jump, Can you go to-day to Morrow and come back to-day, you chump?"

Said I, "I want to go to Morrow; can I go to-day And get to Morrow by to-night, if there is no delay?"

"Well, well," said he, "explain to me and I've no more to say; Can you go anywhere to-morrow and come back from there to-day?"

For if to-day you'd get to Morrow, surely you'll agree You should have started not to-day, but yesterday, you see.

So if you start to Morrow, leaving here to-day, you're flat, You won't get to Morrow till the day that follows that.

"Now if you start to-day to Morrow, it's a cinch you'll land To-morrow into Morrow, not to-day, you understand.

For the train to-day to Morrow, if the schedule is right, Will get you into Morrow by about to-morrow night."

Said I, "I guess you know it all, but kindly let me say, How can I go to Morrow, if I leave the town to-day?"