| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 862. The Volunteer |
| | | By Elbridge Jefferson Cutler |
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| “AT dawn,” he said, “I bid them all farewell, | |
| To go where bugles call and rifles gleam.” | |
| And with the restless thought asleep he fell, | |
| And glided into dream. | |
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| A great hot plain from sea to mountain spread,— | 5 |
| Through it a level river slowly drawn: | |
| He moved with a vast crowd, and at its head | |
| Streamed banners like the dawn. | |
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| There came a blinding flash, a deafening roar, | |
| And dissonant cries of triumph and dismay; | 10 |
| Blood trickled down the river’s reedy shore, | |
| And with the dead he lay. | |
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| The morn broke in upon his solemn dream, | |
| And still, with steady pulse and deepening eye, | |
| “Where bugles call,” he said, “and rifles gleam, | 15 |
| I follow, though I die!” | |
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