DARK as the clouds of even, | |
| Ranked in the western heaven, | |
| Waiting the breath that lifts | |
| All the dead mass, and drifts | |
| Tempest and falling brand | 5 |
| Over a ruined land,— | |
| So still and orderly, | |
| Arm to arm, knee to knee, | |
| Waiting the great event, | |
| Stands the black regiment. | 10 |
| |
| Down the long dusky line | |
| Teeth gleam and eyeballs shine; | |
| And the bright bayonet, | |
| Bristling and firmly set, | |
| Flashed with a purpose grand, | 15 |
| Long ere the sharp command | |
| Of the fierce rolling drum | |
| Told them their time had come, | |
| Told them what work was sent | |
| For the black regiment. | 20 |
| |
| “Now,” the flag-sergeant cried, | |
| “Though death and hell betide, | |
| Let the whole nation see | |
| If we are fit to be | |
| Free in this land; or bound | 25 |
| Down, like the whining hound,— | |
| Bound with red stripes of pain | |
| In our cold chains again!” | |
| Oh, what a shout there went | |
| From the black regiment! | 30 |
| |
| “Charge!” trump and drum awoke; | |
| Onward the bondsmen broke; | |
| Bayonet and sabre-stroke | |
| Vainly opposed their rush. | |
| Through the wild battle’s crush, | 35 |
| With but one thought aflush, | |
| Driving their lords like chaff, | |
| In the gun’s mouth they laugh; | |
| Or at the slippery brands, | |
| Leaping with open hands. | 40 |
| Down they tear man and horse, | |
| Down in their awful course; | |
| Trampling with bloody heel | |
| Over the crushing steel,— | |
| All their eyes forward bent, | 45 |
| Rushed the black regiment. | |
| |
| “Freedom!” their battle-cry,— | |
| “Freedom! or leave to die!” | |
| Ah! and they meant the word, | |
| Not as with us ’t is heard, | 50 |
| Not a mere party shout; | |
| They gave their spirits out, | |
| Trusted the end to God, | |
| And on the gory sod | |
| Rolled in triumphant blood. | 55 |
| Glad to strike one free blow, | |
| Whether for weal or woe; | |
| Glad to breathe one free breath, | |
| Though on the lips of death; | |
| Praying,—alas! in vain. | 60 |
| That they might fall again, | |
| So they could once more see | |
| That burst to liberty! | |
| This was what “freedom” lent | |
| To the black regiment. | 65 |
| |
| Hundred on hundreds fell; | |
| But they are resting well; | |
| Scourges, and shackles strong | |
| Never shall do them wrong. | |
| Oh, to the living few, | 70 |
| Soldiers, be just and true! | |
| Hail them as comrades tried; | |
| Fight with them side by side. | |
| Never, in field or tent, | |
| Scorn the black regiment! | 75 |
| |
