Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By EdwardKing

1000 A Woman’s Execution

SWEET-BREATHED and young,

The people’s daughter,

No nerves unstrung,

Going to slaughter!

“Good morning, friends,

You ’ll love us better,—

Make us amends:

We ’ve burst your fetter!

“How the sun gleams!

(Women are snarling):

Give me your beams,

Liberty’s darling!

“Marie ’s my name;

Christ’s mother bore it.

That badge? No shame:

Glad that I wore it!”

(Hair to her waist,

Limbs like a Venus):

Robes are displaced:

“Soldiers, please screen us!

“He at the front?

That is my lover:

Stood all the brunt;—

Now—the fight’s over.

“Powder and bread

Gave out together:

Droll! to be dead

In this bright weather!

“Jean, boy, we might

Have married in June!

This the wall? Right!

Vive la Commune!”