'RIFLEMAN, shoot me a fancy shot <br />Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; <br />Ring me a ball in the glittering spot <br />That shines on his breast like an amulet!' <br /> <br />'Ah, Captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead; <br />There 's music around when my barrel 's in tune!' <br />Crack! went the rifle, the messenger sped, <br />And dead from his horse fell the ringing dragoon. <br /> <br />'Now, Rifleman, steal through the bushes and snatch <br />From your victim some trinket to hansel first blood— <br />A button, a loop, or that luminous patch <br />That gleams in the moon like a diamond stud.' <br /> <br />'Oh, Captain! I staggered, and sunk on my track, <br />When I gazed on the face of that fallen vidette; <br />For he looked so like you as he lay on his back <br />That my heart rose upon me, and masters me yet. <br /> <br />'But I snatched off the trinket—this locket of gold; <br />An inch from the centre my lead broke its way, <br />Scarce grazing the picture, so fair to behold, <br />Of a beautiful lady in bridal array.' <br /> <br />'Ha! Rifleman, fling me the locket—'t is she, <br />My brother's young bride, and the fallen dragoon <br />Was her husband—Hush! soldier, 't was Heaven's decree; <br />We must bury him here, by the light of the moon! <br /> <br />'But, hark! the far bugles their warnings unite; <br />War is a virtue—weakness a sin; <br />There 's lurking and loping around us to-night; <br />Load again, Rifleman, keep your hand in!'<br /><br />Charles Dawson Shanly<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-fancy-shot/
