If you love me, do not ponder,
Do not breathe what you would say,
Do not look at me with wonder,
Join your country in the fray.
Go! your aid and right hand lend her,
Breast the tyrant's angry blast:
Be her own and my defender--
Strike for freedom to the last,

Then I'll vow to love none other,
While you nobly dare and do;
As you're faithful to our mother,
So I'll faithful prove to you.
But return not while the thunder
Lives in one invading sword;
Strike the despot's hirelings under--
Own no master but the Lord.




The Cotton Boll.

By Henry Timrod.



While I recline
At ease beneath