With banners furled and clarions mute, <br />An army passes in the night; <br />And beaming spears and helms salute <br />The dark with bright. <br /> <br />In silence deep the legions stream, <br />With open ranks, in order true; <br />Over boundless plains they stream and <br />gleam-- <br />No chief in view! <br /> <br />Afar, in twinkling distance lost, <br />(So legends tell) he lonely wends <br />And back through all that shining host <br />His mandate sends.<br /><br />Herman Melville<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-night-march/
