For two long years my sword was out;
And I had learned (a soldier’s need,)
—Almost without a groan to bleed—
Aye! gloried in the battle’s shout;
For it gave presage of a fame
Such as the brave alone may claim.
For two long years, as I have told,
The storm of war around me roll’d;
But never more, by day or night
In sunshine or in shower,