176
SONGS, LEGENDS, AND BALLADS.
Some distance off, in order ranged, stood men,—about a score:
God! 'twas all that now remained of my old gallant corps!
The muster-roll was being called: to every well-known name
I heard the solemn answer,—'Dead!' At length my own turn came.
I paused to hear,—a comrade answered, ' Dead! I saw him fall!'
I could not move another step, I tried in vain to call.
My life was flowing fast, and all around was gathering haze,
And o'er the heather tops I watched my comrades cheerful blaze.
I thought such anguish as I felt was more than man could bear.
God! it was an awful thing to die with help so near!
And death was stealing o'er me : with the strength of wild despair
I raised the standard o'er my head, and waved it through the air.
