When Thy soldiers take their swords

When Thy soldiers take their swords. Frances Mary Owen* (1842-1883). Written ca. 1872, probably at the same time that Owen was engaged on writing The Story of George Washington (1883), for the boys in her husband's house at Cheltenham College. With its chivalric imagery it was calculated to appeal to boys and young men. The first two stanzas (of five) are an example: When Thy soldiers take their swords,When they speak the solemn words,When they kneel before Thee here,Feeling Thee, their Father, near;These Thy children, Lord, defend,To their help Thy Spirit send. When the world’s sharp strife is nigh,When they hear the battle-cry,When they rush into the fight,Knowing not temptation’s...