The Sleeping Sentinel

WHEN the great Theban, in his midnight tramp,
A sleeping guard beside the postern saw,
He slew him on the instant, that the camp
Might read in blood a soldier’s swerveless law.

“Blame not your General!” — pointing to the slain,—
The wise, severe Epaminondas said,—
“ I was not cruel, comrades, for’t is plain
I only left him, as I found him, dead ! ”