I Saw Old General at Bay

I saw old General at bay;
(Old as he was, his grey eyes yet shone out in battle like stars;)
His small force was now completely hemm’d in, in his works;
He call’d for volunteers to run the enemy’s lines--a desperate
　　　emergency;
I saw a hundred and more step forth from the ranks--but two or
　　　three were selected; 5
I saw them receive their orders aside--they listen’d with care--the
　　　adjutant was very grave;
I saw them depart with cheerfulness, freely risking their lives.