Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/34

26 "General, you're hurt—this sleet of balls!"

He seemed half spent;

With moody and bloody brow, he lowly bent:

"The field to die on;

But not—not yet; the day is long," breathed Lyon.

For a time becharmed there fell a lull

In the heart of the fight;

The tree-tops nod, the slain sleep light;

Warm noon-winds sigh on,

And thoughts which he never spake had Lyon.

Texans and Indians trim for a charge:

"Stand ready, men!

Let them come close, right up, and then

After the lead, the iron;

Fire, and charge back!" So strength returned to Lyon.

The Iowa men who held the van,

Half drilled, were new

To battle: "Some one lead us, then we'll do"

Said Corporal Tryon:

"Men! I will lead," and a light glared in Lyon.