Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/193

 Whom with impunity no man has mocked! It serves me right, since I let gallantry, The frailest of all frailties, turn aside For e'en one moment my established way. Might is a two-edged knife; when used in earnest, It wounds two foes;—but when in play, thyself. [Here enter Cos, Castrillon and Almonte.] The fugitives have not been found, I hear; Be it decided then to storm the fort At break of day, two hours from hence. Meanwhile Let for some time the cannonade proceed As the courier that heralds our advent. Of this, thou, Cos! take charge as hitherto; Castrillon, thou wilt lead in the assault, While to thy task, Almonte, it will fall To take that traitor Bradburn where he can Best see the downfall of his rebel-friends. For battle-cry I chose my favorite word. Whose stirring call has oft accompanied My banner to success and fame: "Deguello! No quarter given! no mercy asked or shown!" We have no time to spare for guarding captives For lengthy trials, for painful executions: A prudent man completes his task at once. So, Generals, depart ye hence and go To tell your gallant men, that Mexico Expects to-day to hear the overthrow And glorious conquest of the Alamo. [Exeunt]