218 CAPTURE OF BAS8AN0. 



Now birds and human beasts of pray. 

 Who'd watch 'd afar the murd'rous fray. 

 In dev'lish triumph held their sway. 



O'er glory's toys ; 

 But one, whose breast was plough'd by death. 

 That tore the spirit from its sheath. 

 And gave in lieu the blood-stain'd wreath. 



That Victory wore. 

 Was left unscath'd by ought beside 

 The steel which had his pallet dy'd. 

 With crimson rivers flowing wide. 



Around his bed. 

 A sad and pity-moving yell. 

 Was borne upon the wind's low swell. 

 Which e'en a plund'rer's heart could quell. 



And bow in shame — 

 A dog lay by his master's corse. 

 And nerv'd by friendship's deathless force. 

 E'er tum'd the savage prowler's course. 



On other guest ; 

 He lick'd his master's hand, that now 

 Would ne'er again caress bestow. 

 And then to his dead eyes would throw 



Beseeching gaze. 

 We came, and then his watch was done ; 

 A gleam of joy an instant shone 

 In eyes whose brightness now was gone. 



And lost in grief. 

 Once more he look'd ; then downward tum'd 

 His grief-stor'd eyes, as though he'd leam'd 

 That heart was cold, for which his burn'd 

 And moum'd for e'er. 

 A low sad wail was his last cry ; 

 It told of mortal agony> 

 And mournfully did testify,— 



A Friend in death. 



William Henry Paglar. 



