* * * * *
DIALOGUE I.
SCENE. _The slope of the Hill near Fort Edward. The road-side, shaded
with stately pines and hemlocks_.
(_Two British Officers, coming slowly down the road_.)
_1st Off_. Yes, here has been wild work upon this hill to-day. They were
slaughtered to a man.
_2nd Off_. I saw a sight above there, just now, that sickened me of
warfare.
_1st Off_. And what was that, pry'thee?
_2nd Off_. Oh nothing,--'twas nothing but a dead soldier; a common sight
enough, indeed; but this was a mere youth;--he was lying in a little
hollow on the roadside, and as I crossed in haste, I had well-nigh set
my foot on his brow. Such a brow it was, so young, so noble, and the
dark chesnut curls clustering about it. I think I never saw a more
classic set of features, or a look of loftier courage than that which
death seemed to have found and marbled in them. Hark--that's a
water-fall we hear.
_1st Off_. I saw him, there was another though, lying not far thence,
the sight of whom moved me more. He was younger yet, or seemed so, and
of a softer mould; and, torn and bloody as they were, I fancied I could
see in his garb and appointments, and in every line of his features, the
traces of some mother's tenderness.
Pages:
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151