Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman

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I saw old General at bay;

(Old as he was, his grey eyes yet shone out in battle
like stars;)

His small force was now completely hemm'd in, in his
works;

He call'd for volunteers to run the enemy's lines—a
desperate emergency;

I saw a hundred and more step forth from the ranks—
but two or three were selected;

I saw them receive their orders aside—they listen'd
with care—the adjutant was very grave;

I saw them depart with cheerfulness, freely risking their
lives.

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