I SAW old General at bay;
(Old as he was, his grey eyes yet shone out in battle
like stars;)
like stars;)
His small force was now completely hemmed in, in his
works;
works;
He call’d for volunteers to run the enemy’s lines—a
desperate emergency;
desperate emergency;
I saw a hundred and more step forth from the ranks—
but two or three were selected;
but two or three were selected;
I saw them receive their orders aside—they listen’d
with care—the adjutant was very grave;
with care—the adjutant was very grave;
I saw them depart with cheerfulness, freely risking their
lives.
lives.