Whereon immediately at his request They brought him and his comrades to head-quarters; Their dress was Moslem, but you might have guessed That these were merely masquerading Tartars, And that beneath each Turkish-fashioned vest Lurked Christianity--which sometimes barters Her inward grace for outward show, and makes It difficult to shun some strange mistakes. LVIII. Suwarrow, who was standing in his shirt Before a company of Calmucks, drilling, Exclaiming, fooling, swearing at the inert, And lecturing on the noble art of killing,-- For deeming human clay but common dirt This great philosopher was thus instilling His maxims,[409] which to martial comprehension Proved death in battle equal to a pension;-- LIX. Suwarrow, when he saw this company Of Cossacques and their prey, turned round and cast Upon them his slow brow and piercing eye:-- "Whence come ye?"--"From Constantinople last, Captives just now escaped," was the reply. "What are ye?"--"What you see us." Briefly passed This dialogue; for he who answered knew To whom he spoke, and made his words but few. LX. "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." LXI. "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 followed?"--"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. LXII. "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"-- LXIII. "He shall if that he dare." Here Juan bowed Low as the compliment deserved. Suwarrow Continued: "Your old regiment's allowed, By special providence, to lead to-morrow, Or, it may be, to-night, the assault: I have vowed To several Saints, that shortly plough or harrow Shall pass o'er what was Ismail, and its tusk[410] Be unimpeded by the proudest mosque.