, 1862-11-13
The Volunteer.


The following humorous poem was originally
blished in 1927, in avOlume entitled "Death'i
,ings." At this period Of war and volunteer
5, it will not be deemed mAl-apropos:
Twas 10 that memorable year
France threaten'd to put off in
Flat-bottom'd boats, intending each
To be British coffin,-
10 make sad widows Of our wives,
And every babe an orphan.
When coats were made Of scarlet cloaks,
And heads were dredged with -four
listed in the Taylors Corps
Against the battle hour;
A perfect yolunteer,-for whyf
brought my will and power
One dreary day, day Of dread,
Like Cato's, overcast
About the hour Of six (the morn
And | were breaking fast,)-
There came a loud and sudden sound
That struck me all aghasti
A dismal sort Of morning roll
That was not to be eaten;
Although it was no skin Of mine,
But parchment that was beaten,
] felt tAtOOed through all my flesh
Like any Otaheitan.
Ny jaws with utter dread enclosed
The morsel was munching,
And terror locked them up so tight
My very teeth went crunching
All through my bread and tongue at once,
Like Sandwich made at lunching.
My hand that held the teapot fast
StiFen'd, but yet unsteady,
Kept pouring, pouring, pouring DER,
The cup in one long eddy,
Till both my hose were mark'd with tea,
As they were mark'd already.
felt my visage turn ON red
To white-from cold TO hot,
But it was nothing wonderful
Ny color changed, ] wot,
For, like some variable silks,
felt that was shot.
And looking forth with anxious eye
From my snug upper story,
saw our melancholy corps
Going to beds all CORY;
The pioneers seemed very lOath
To axe the way to glory.
The captain march'd as mourners march,
The ensign, too, seem'd lageing,
And many more, although they wore
No cnsigns, took to tagging;
Like corpscs in the Serpentine,
Methought they wanted dragging.
But while | watch'd, the thought Of Death
Came like chilly gust,
And lol | shut the window down,
With very little lust
To Join so many marching men
That soon might be March dust.
Quoth l, 'Since fate Ordains It so,
Our coast the foe must land on
felt warm beside the fire
care not to abandon;
And homes and hearths are always things
That patriots make stand on.
The fools that fight abroad for home
Thought l, may get . wrong one;
Let those who have no homes at all
Go battle for a long one
The mirror here confirmed me this
Reflection by strong one.
For there, where was wont to shave
And deck me like Adonis,
There stood the leader Of our foes,
With vultures for his cronies,
No Corscian, but Death himself,
The BOny Of oil bOnies.
A horrid sight Il was, and sad
To see the grisly chap
Put on my crimson livery,
And then begin to clap
My helmet On--Ah, me- Il felt
Like any felOn's capl
Nv plume seemd borrow'd from hearse,
An undertaker's crest;
Ny epaulettes like coffin plates;
Ny belt so heavy prrssd,
Four pipe clay crossroads seemd TO lie
At once upon my breast.
My brazen breast. plate only lackd
A little heap Of salt
To make me like corpse full dress'd,
Preparing for the vault,
To set up wnat the poets call
Ny everlasting halt
This funeral show inclined me quite
To peace and here ami
Whilst better lines 60 TO war,
Enjoying with the lamb
A lengthend life, that might have been
A martial ePigram."