The Call to Arms.
The gallant soldiers, here they come!
A crowd of girls and boys,
Dot walks in front, and beats the drum,
It makes a splendid noise!
Sue has a flag, and Rose a gun,
So very fierce is she,
She will take aim at ev'ryone,
And nearly shoots a tree!
But “Who goes there?” shouts little Jack,
“Speak, is it friend or foe?
I've got my gun—they're going back,
I heard a cart, I know!”
“My cart,” says Sergeant Tom, with pride,
“Take care, you musn't shake,
I've got six wounded men inside,
Who badly need some cake!
“I'm 'fraid this one is rather bad,
He's lost a lot of paint.”
“Poor fellow,” Rosie cries, “how sad,
I hope that he won't faint!
“Some tea will quickly cure his pain,
And here's a currant bun.”
So soon, they're all quite well again,
And joining in the fun.
“Now back to war!” shouts Captain Jim,
“Come on to do or die!”
His soldiers bravely follow him,
And wave their flags on high.
Hurrah! Hurrah! they've seized the fort,
As Captain Jimmy said!—
“Oh dear, why are the days so short?
Nurse says it's time for bed!”
“Lieutenant Sue's the best I've found,
I noticed in the fight,
With bullets flying all around,
She kept our flag upright.”
He sighs, for, though the bugle blows,
The soldiers want their tea,
“My tea set's new, do come,” cries Rose,
“And have a cup with me!”
Then Captain Jimmy with a smile
Says “Yes, my men, all right,
You're all “off duty” for a while,
The rest will help you fight.”
Jim rides a chair—I mean a horse—
And reads the paper too,
For captains have to learn, of course,
What other armies do;
The way to rout the enemy,
And bring the wounded in.
“My fellows are so brave,” says he,
“I'm certain they will win!”
