I SAW old General at bay; <br /> (Old as he was, his grey eyes yet shone out in battle like stars;) <br /> His small force was now completely hemm'd in, in his works; <br /> He call'd for volunteers to run the enemy's lines--a desperate <br /> emergency; <br /> I saw a hundred and more step forth from the ranks--but two or three <br /> were selected; <br /> I saw them receive their orders aside--they listen'd with care--the <br /> adjutant was very grave; <br /> I saw them depart with cheerfulness, freely risking their lives.<br /><br />Walt Whitman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-saw-old-general-at-bay/
