Virgil Strange I Kept On The Field

   VIGIL strange I kept on the field one night:
   When you, my son and my comrade, dropt at my side that day,
   One look I but gave, which your dear eyes return'd, with a look I
         shall never forget;
   One touch of your hand to mine, O boy, reach'd up as you lay on the
         ground;
   Then onward I sped in the battle, the even-contested battle;
   Till late in the night reliev'd, to the place at last again I made my
         way;
   Found you in death so cold, dear comrade--found your body, son of
         responding kisses, (never again on earth responding;)
   Bared your face in the starlight--curious the scene--cool blew the
         moderate night-wind;
   Long there and then in vigil I stood, dimly around me the battlefield
         spreading;
   Vigil wondrous and vigil sweet, there in the fragrant silent
         night;                                                       10
   But not a tear fell, not even a long-drawn sigh--Long, long I gazed;
   Then on the earth partially reclining, sat by your side, leaning my
         chin in my hands;
   Passing sweet hours, immortal and mystic hours with you, dearest
         comrade--Not a tear, not a word;
   Vigil of silence, love and death--vigil for you my son and my
         soldier,
   As onward silently stars aloft, eastward new ones upward stole;
   Vigil final for you, brave boy, (I could not save you, swift was your
         death,
   I faithfully loved you and cared for you living--I think we shall
         surely meet again;)
   Till at latest lingering of the night, indeed just as the dawn
         appear'd,
   My comrade I wrapt in his blanket, envelop'd well his form,
   Folded the blanket well, tucking it carefully over head, and
         carefully under feet;                                        20
   And there and then, and bathed by the rising sun, my son in his
         grave, in his rude-dug grave I deposited;
   Ending my vigil strange with that--vigil of night and battlefield
         dim;
   Vigil for boy of responding kisses, (never again on earth
         responding;)
   Vigil for comrade swiftly slain--vigil I never forget, how as day
         brighten'd,
   I rose from the chill ground, and folded my soldier well in his
         blanket,
   And buried him where he fell.