And swords and brazen helmets lay strewn upon the ground.
Some distance off, in order ranged, stood men,[509]—about a score:
O 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,