“I was n't so much of a soldier,” said the soul of Sergeant Todd,
( Fumbling at his medal, that statement sounded odd. )
“I was n't so much of a fighter, but when they came, and came,
Yelling and shooting, I just got mad, and I reckon I did the same.
Into my trench they piled — just boys —
Making a most outlandish noise.”
A Corporal's soul beside him nodded and mustered a smile:
“You handled a dozen at once,” he said; “they did n't come single file.
If you was n't‘ much of a soldier,’ or shirked in your duty — well, say,
What sort of a chance have other men got when tested on Judgment Day?
You fought them all, you did; and when
They quit, you started in again!”
“Shut up!” said the soul of Sergeant Todd; “you're still in my squad, McQuade,
I say that I lacked what you did not lack — courage to die, unafraid.
I was a coward, a trembling coward, deep in my craven heart;
I fought with the fear of that fear at my soul, playing no hero's part!
You can n't understand it — but I
Had none of the courage — to die!
“And now that I'm dead,” said the troubled soul of the one-time Sergeant Todd,
“It did n't seem right that those who live should think I have met our God
As a brave man does: his honor clear, with his courage unscathed and whole.
On this high plane there is no room for a fear-troubled human soul;
So Sergeant Todd” ( he bowed his head )
“Fears no more — for his body's dead!”