His history, the veteran, in reply,
Was neither slow nor eager; but, unmoved,
And with a quiet, uncomplaining voice,
A stately air of mild indifference,
He told in few plain words a soldier's tale—
That in the Tropic Islands he had served,
Whence he had landed scarcely three weeks past;
That on his landing he had been dismissed,
And now was traveling toward his native home.
This heard, I said, in pity, "Come with me."