Cavalry Crossing a Ford

A line in long array, where they wind betwixt green islands;
They take a serpentine course--their arms flash in the sun--
　　　Hark to the musical clank;
Behold the silvery river--in it the splashing horses, loitering, stop
　　　to drink;
Behold the brown-faced men--each group, each person, a picture--
　　　the negligent rest on the saddles;
Some emerge on the opposite bank--others are just entering the
　　　ford--while, 5
Scarlet, and blue, and snowy white,
The guidon flags flutter gaily in the wind.