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!”