Like shadows past the guard—
Confound[52] the gestures! they bother me worse than anything else. Why didn’t the fool that wrote the piece say
which way they stole, up[53] a hill, down[54] a hill, or across[55] the road? Well, I’ll try the next two lines.
Now soft they creep,[56] now leap,[57] now run[58]
From tyrants base and hard—
They must have been acrobats to get over the ground in that shape; I’m desperate, I am!
But hark![59] what sound is that which comes
Across the sandy plain?
No; I mustn’t put my finger up like that.[60] Why should a person when alone be required to do it? Am I to warn myself to listen when I have ears? or if at all necessary, why not do it effectually and hold up both fingers, thus?[61] I’ll skip that part.
The sentry’s cry, the roll of drums,