Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/207

Rh The ravaged land was miles behind,

And Loudon spread her landscape rare;

Orchards in pleasant lowlands stood,

Cows were feeding, a cock loud crew,

But not a friend at need was there;

The valley-folk were only good

To Mosby and his wandering brood.

What best to do? what mean yon men?

Colonel and Guide their minds compare;

Be sure some looked their Leader through;

Dismsounted, on his sword he leaned

As one who feigns an easy air;

And yet perplexed he was they knew—

Perplexed by Mosby's mountain-crew.

The Major hemmed as he would speak,

But checked himself, and left the ring

Of cavalrymen about their Chief—

Young courtiers mute who paid their court

By looking with confidence on their king;

They knew him brave, foresaw no grief—

But Mosby—the time to think is brief.