Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/152



color-bearers facing death

White in the whirling sulphurous wreath,

Stand boldly out before the line

Right and left their glances go,

Proud of each other, glorying in their show;

Their battle-flags about them blow,

And fold them as in flame divine:

Such living robes are only seen

Round martyrs burning on the green—

And martyrs for the Wrong have been.

Perish their Cause! but mark the men—

Mark the planted statues, then

Draw trigger on them if you can.

The leader of a patriot-band

Even so could view rebels who so could stand;