Explore "The Militiaman" by Ambrose Bierce on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
"O warrior with the burnished arms -- / With bullion cord and tassel -- / Pray tell me of the lurid charms / Of service and the fierce alarms: / The storming of the castle, / The charge across the smoking field, / The rifles' busy rattle -- / What thoughts inspire the men who wield / The blade -- their gallant souls how steeled / And fortified in battle."
"Nay, man of peace, seek not to know / War's baleful fascination -- / The soldier's hunger for the foe, / His dread of safety, joy to go / To court annihilation.
Though calling bugles blow not now, / Nor drums begin to beat yet, / One fear unmans me, I'll allow, / And poisons all my pleasure: How / If I should get my feet wet!"