Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/84

76 A flame leaps out; they are seen;

Another and another gun roars;

We tell the course of the boats through the screen

By each further fort that pours,

And we guess how they jump from their beds on those shrouded shores.

Converging fires. We speak, though low:

"That blastful furnace can they thread"

"Why, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego

Came out all right, we read;

The Lord, be sure, he helps his people, Ned."

How we strain our gaze. On bluffs they shun

A golden growing flame appears—

Confirms to a silvery steadfast one:

"The town is afire!" crows Hugh: "three cheers"

Lot stops his mouth: "Nay, lad, better three tears."

A purposed light; it shows our fleet;

Yet a little late in its searching ray,

So far and strong, that in phantom cheat

Lank on the deck our shadows lay;

The shining flag-ship stings their guns to furious play.