| Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912. |
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| John Greenleaf Whittier. 1807–1892 |
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| 79. Dedication of "In War Time" |
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| To Samuel E. Sewall and Harriet W. Sewall of Melrose |
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| OLOR Iscanus queries: "Why should we | |
| Vex at the land's ridiculous miserie?" | |
| So on his Usk banks, in the blood-red dawn | |
| Of England's civil strife, did careless Vaughan | |
| Bemock his times. O friends of many years! | 5 |
| Though faith and trust are stronger than our fears, | |
| And the signs promise peace with liberty, | |
| Not thus we trifle with our country's tears | |
| And sweat of agony. The future's gain | |
| Is certain as God's truth; but, meanwhile, pain | 10 |
| Is bitter and tears are salt: our voices take | |
| A sober tone; our very household songs | |
| Are heavy with a nation's griefs and wrongs; | |
| And innocent mirth is chastened for the sake | |
| Of the brave hearts that nevermore shall beat, | 15 |
| The eyes that smile no more, the unreturning feet! | |
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