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170 Songs and Ballads
18 Not half the Twenty-second's men
Were in their place that morn, And Corp'ral Dick, who yester-noon
Stood six brave fellows on, Now touched my elbow in the ranks,
For all between were gone.
19 Ah! who forgets that dreary hour
When, as with misty eyes, To call the old familiar roll
The solemn sergeant tries, — One feels that thumping of the heart
As no prompt voice replies.
20 And as in falt'ring tone and slow
The last few names were said, Across the field some missing horse
Toiled up with weary tread, It caught the sergeant's eye, and, quick,
Bay Billy's name he read.
21 Yes! there the old bay hero stood,
All safe from battle's harms, And ere an order could be heard,
Or the bugle's quick alarms, Down all the front from end to end
The troops presented arms!
^ 22 Not all the shoulder-straps on earth Could still our mighty cheer. And ever from that famous day, When rang the roll-call clear, Bay Billy's name was read, and then The whole line answered, "Here!" |
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