KNITTING FOR THE SOLDIERS.

By Mary J. Upshur.

Knitting for the soldiers.
How the needles fly!
Now with sounds of merriment—
Now with many a sigh!
Knitting for the soldiers!
Panoply for feet—
Onward, bound to victory!
Rushing in retreat!
Knitting for the soldiers!
Wrinkled—aged crone,
Plying flying needles
By the ember stone.
Crooning ancient ballads,
Rocking to and fro,
In your sage divining,
Say where these shall go?
Jaunty set of stockings,
Neat from top to toe,
March they with the victor?
Lie with vanquished low?

Knitting for the soldiers!
Matron—merry maid,
Many and many a blessing,
Many a prayer is said,
While the glittering needles
Fly “around! around!”
Like to Macbeth’s witches
On enchanted ground.
“Knitting for the soldiers
Wrinkled—aged crone.”
Knitting for the soldiers
Still another pair!
And the feet that wear them
Speed thee onward—where?

To the silent city,
On their trackless way?
Homeward—bearing garlands?
Who of us shall say?
“Knitting for the soldiers!
Matron—merry maid.”
Knitting for the soldiers!
Heaven bless them all!
Those who win the battle,
Those who fighting fall.

Might our benedictions
Speedily win reply,
Early would they crown ye
All with victory.
Norfolk, Va., October 8, 1861.