Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
“My Love for Thee doth March like Armèd Men”
By Richard Watson Gilder (1844–1909)[Born in Bordentown, N. J., 1844. Died in New York, N. Y., 1909. The New Day. 1875. The Celestial Passion. 1878–85. Lyrics. 1878–85. Revised Editions of 1887.]
M
Against a queenly city they would take.
Along the army’s front its banners shake;
Across the mountain and the sun-smit plain
It steadfast sweeps as sweeps the steadfast rain;
And now the trumpet makes the still air quake,
And now the thundering cannon doth awake
Echo on echo, echoing loud again.
But, lo! the conquest higher than bard had sung;
Instead of answering cannon comes a small
White flag; the iron gates are open flung,
And flowers along the invaders’ pathway fall.
The city’s conquerors feast their foes among,
And their brave flags are trophies on her wall.