Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your country's flag,' she said.
A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,
Over the face of the leader came.
Source: Barbara Frietchie
-- John Greenleaf Whittier, (Dec 17 1807-1892), US poet, essayist; He was a popular rural poet, e.g., Barbara Frietchie, who devoted his life to social causes and reform.