THE DRUMMER BOY'S BURIAL
81
They had brought some simple garments from their ward- robe's scanty store,
And two heavy iron shovels in their slender hands they bore.
And two heavy iron shovels in their slender hands they bore.
Then they quickly knelt beside him, crushing back the pitying tears,
For they had no time for weeping, nor for any girlish fears.
For they had no time for weeping, nor for any girlish fears.
And they robed the icy body, while no glow of maiden shame
Changed the pallor of their foreheads to a flush of lambent flame.
Changed the pallor of their foreheads to a flush of lambent flame.
For their saintly hearts yearned o'er it in that hour of sorest need,
And they felt that Death was holy and it sanctified the deed.
And they felt that Death was holy and it sanctified the deed.
But they smiled and kissed each other when their new, strange task was o'er,
And the form that lay before them its unwonted garments wore.
And the form that lay before them its unwonted garments wore.
Then with slow and weary labor a small grave they hollowed out,
And they lined it with the withered grass and leaves that lay about.
And they lined it with the withered grass and leaves that lay about.
But the day was slowly breaking ere their holy work was done,
And in crimson pomp the morning again heralded the sun.
And in crimson pomp the morning again heralded the sun.
And then those little maidens—they were children of our foes—
Laid the body of our Drummer-Boy to undisturbed repose.
Laid the body of our Drummer-Boy to undisturbed repose.
