I Saw Old General at Bay

I SAW OLD GENERAL AT BAY.

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 hemmed 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.