‘Your names?’—‘Mine ’s Johnson, and my comrade ’s Juan; The other two are women, and the third Is neither man nor woman.’ The chief threw on The party a slight glance, then said, ‘I have heard Your name before, the second is a new one: To bring the other three here was absurd: But let that pass:—I think I have heard your name In the Nikolaiew regiment?’—‘The same.’ ‘You served at Widdin?’—‘Yes.’—‘You led the attack?’ ‘I did.’—‘What next?’—‘I really hardly know.’ ‘You were the first i’ the breach?’—‘I was not slack At least to follow those who might be so.’ ‘What follow’d?’—‘A shot laid me on my back, And I became a prisoner to the foe.’ ‘You shall have vengeance, for the town surrounded Is twice as strong as that where you were wounded. ‘Where will you serve?’—‘Where’er you please.’—‘I know You like to be the hope of the forlorn, And doubtless would be foremost on the foe After the hardships you’ve already borne. And this young fellow—say what can he do? He with the beardless chin and garments torn?’ ‘Why, general, if he hath no greater fault In war than love, he had better lead the assault.’ ‘He shall if that he dare.’ Here Juan bow’d Low as the compliment deserved. Suwarrow Continued: ‘Your old regiment’s allow’d, By special providence, to lead to-morrow, Or it may be to-night, the assault: I have vow’d To several saints, that shortly plough or harrow Shall pass o’er what was Ismail, and its tusk Be unimpeded by the proudest mosque. ‘So now, my lads, for glory!’—Here he turn’d And drill’d away in the most classic Russian, Until each high, heroic bosom burn’d For cash and conquest, as if from a cushion A preacher had held forth (who nobly spurn’d All earthly goods save tithes) and bade them push on To slay the Pagans who resisted, battering The armies of the Christian Empress Catherine. Johnson, who knew by this long colloquy Himself a favourite, ventured to address Suwarrow, though engaged with accents high In his resumed amusement. ‘I confess My debt in being thus allow’d to die Among the foremost; but if you’d express Explicitly our several posts, my friend And self would know what duty to attend.’ ‘Right! I was busy, and forgot. Why, you Will join your former regiment, which should be Now under arms. Ho! Katskoff, take him to (Here he call’d up a Polish orderly) His post, I mean the regiment Nikolaiew: The stranger stripling may remain with me; He ’s a fine boy. The women may be sent To the other baggage, or to the sick tent.’ But here a sort of scene began to ensue: The ladies,—who by no means had been bred To be disposed of in a way so new, Although their haram education led Doubtless to that of doctrines the most true, Passive obedience,—now raised up the head, With flashing eyes and starting tears, and flung Their arms, as hens their wings about their young,