A cloud possessed the hollow field,
The gathering battle’s smoky shield.
Athwart the gloom the lightning flashed,
And through the cloud some horsemen dashed,
And from the heights the thunder pealed.

Then at the brief command of Lee
Moved out that...

O lifted face of mute appeal!
  Poor tongueless pantomime of prayer!
O sullen sea, whose deeps conceal
  The children of despair!
O heart that will not look above!
  Poor staggering feet that seek the wave!
I would come quick, if I were Love,...

[July 3, 1863]
A CLOUD possessed the hollow field,
The gathering battle’s smoky shield,
Athwart the gloom the lightning flashed,
And through the cloud some horsemen dashed,
And from the heights the thunder pealed.

Then at the brief command of Lee...