SOMEBODY'S DARLING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 110, 13 May 1867, Page 2

SOMEBODY'S DARLING.

Into a ward of the whitewashed walls, Where tlie dead and the dying lay — Wounded by bayonets, shells, and balls — Somebody's darling was borne one day. Somebody's darling ! So young and so brave, Wearing still on his pale, sweet face, Soon to be bid by the dust of the grave, The lingering light of his boyhood's grace.

Matted and damp are the curls of gold Kissing tbe snow of that fair young brow ; PiJle are the lips of delicate mould — Somebody's darling is dying now. Back frcm the beautiful blue-veined face Brush every wandering silken thread ; ' Cross his hands as a sign of grace — Somebody 's darling is still and dead.

Kiss him once for Somebody's sake, Murmur a prayer soft and low, One bright curl from the cluster take — They were somebody's pride, you know, Somebody's hand hath rested there : Was it a mother's, soft and white ? And have the lips of a sister fair Been baptised in those waves of light ?

God knows best. He was somebody's love ; Somebody's heart enshrined him there ; Somebody wafted his name above, Night and morn on the wings of prayer. Somebudy wept when he marched away, Looking so handsome, brave, and grand : Somebody's kiss on his forehead lay ; Somebody clung to his parting hand.

Somebody's watching and waiting for him. Yearning to hold him again to her heart ; There he lies — with tlie blue eyes dim, And smiling, childlike lips apart. Tenderly bury tbe fair young dead, Pausing to drop on his grave a tear ; Carve on the wooden slab at his head — "Somebody's darling lies buried here!"