Poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

By-And-Bye

‘By-and-bye,’ the maiden sighed – ‘by-and-bye
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-bye.’

‘By-and-bye,’ the soldier said – ‘by-and-bye, 
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-bye- by-and-bye.’

‘By-and-bye,’ the mother cried – ‘by-and-bye, 
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-bye - by-and-bye.’

Fleeting years of time have sped – hurried by –
Still the maiden is unwed: 
All unknown 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-bye’ - by-and-bye?

1. Intermediary
2. Queries
3. Assistance
4. At Eleusis
5. Affirm

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