Beleaguered Men

By Marcus B. Christian

Skirmish -- then fall back -- then ambush;

Take every Italian gun; --

That is the only chance for us --

A hundred chances to one.

Skirmish -- then fall back -- the ambush;

Fight as savages fight --

With the whine of the sword, the swish of the spear,

And the flash of the dirk at night.

Guerilla warfare and sniping,

Shun every open fight;

But snipe their flanks through the livelong day

And harry them through the night.

Harry when night hangs heavy,

Retreat -- then suddenly wheel;

Might is no foe for wisdom --

Cunning can conquer sharp steel.

Ours is a land beleaguered

And we fight as besieged men fight --

With scarcely a hope of winning

This battle of right 'gainst might.

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