READING THE LIST.
| “Is there any news of the war?” she said; “Only a list of the wounded and dead,” Was the man’s reply, Without lifting his eye To the face of the woman standing by. “’Tis the very thing I want,” she said; “Read me a list of the wounded and dead.” He read the list—’twas a sad array Of the wounded and killed in the fatal fray; In the very midst was a pause, to tell That his comrades asked, “Who is he, pray?” “The only son of the widow Gray,” Was the proud reply Of his Captain nigh. What ails the woman standing near? Her face has the ashen hue of fear! “Well, well, read on; is he wounded? quick! Oh, God! but my heart is sorrow sick! Is he wounded?” “No! he fell,” they say, “Killed outright on that fatal day!” But see, the woman has swooned away! |
“Only a list of the wounded and dead.”