The soldier dies surrounded; could he live
Alone to suffer, and alone to strive?
“Answer, ye graves, whose suicidal gloom
Shows deeper horror than a common tomb!
Who sleep within? the men who would evade
An unseen lot of which they felt afraid,—
Embarrassment of means which worked annoy—
A past remorse—a future blank of joy—
The sinful rashness of a blind despair—
These were the strokes which sent your victims there.