BY-AND-BY.

“By-and-by,” the maiden sighed — “by-and-by

He will claim me for his bride,

Hope is strong and time is fleet;

Youth is fair, and love is sweet,

Clouds will pass that fleck my sky.

He will come back by-and-by — by-and-by.”

“By-and-by,” the soldier said — “by-and-by,

After I have fought and bled,

I shall go home from the wars,

Crowned with glory, seamed with scars.

Joy will flash from some one's eye

When she greets me by-and-by — by-and-by.”

“By-and-by,” the mother cried — “by-and-by,

Strong and sturdy at my side,

Like a staff supporting me,

Will my bonnie baby be.

Break my rest, then, wail and cry —

Thou'lt repay me by-and-by — by-and-by.”

Fleeting years of time have sped — hurried by —

Still the maiden is unwed;

All unknown the soldier lies,

Buried under alien skies;

And the son, with blood-shot eye

Saw his mother starve and die.

God in Heaven! dost Thou on high,

Keep the promised by-and-by — by-and-by?