You have told me that you love me,
That you worship at my shrine;
That no purity above me
Can on earth be more divine.
Though the kind words you have spoken.
Sound to me most sweetly strange,
Will your pledges ne'er be broken?
Will there be in you no change?

If you love me half so wildly--
Half so madly as you say,
Listen to me, darling, mildly--
Would you do aught I would pray?
If you would, then hear the thunder
Of our country's cannon speak!
While by war she's rent asunder,
Do not come my love to seek.

If you love me, do not ponder,
Do not breathe what you would say,
Do not look at me with wonder,
Join your country in the fray.
Go! your aid and right hand lend her,
Breast the tyrant's angry blast:
Be her own and my defender--
Strike for freedom to the last,

Then I'll vow to love none other,
While you nobly dare and do;
As you're faithful to our mother,
So I'll faithful prove to you.
But return not while the thunder
Lives in one invading sword;
Strike the despot's hirelings under--
Own no master but the Lord.

The Cotton Boll.