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Thomas Campbell – The Soldier's dream

When reposing that night on my pallet of straw
By the wolf scaring faggot that guarded the slain
At the dead of the night a sweet vision I saw
And thrice ere the morning I dreamt it again.

Methought from the battle-field's dreadful array
Far, far, I had roamed on a desolate track;
'Twas autumn – and sunshine arose on the way
To the home of my fathers, that welcomed me back

I flew to the pleasant fields traversed so oft
In life's morning march, when my bosom was young;
I heard my own mountain goats bleating aloft,
And knew the sweet strain that the corn reapers sung.

Then pledged we the wine cup and fondly I swore
From my home and my weeping friends never to part;
My little ones kissed me a thousand times o'er
And my wife sobbed aloud in her fullness of heart.

Stay stay with us – rest – thou art weary and worn -
And fain was their war broken soldier to stay
But sorrow returned with the dawning of morn
And the voice in my dreaming ears melted away