Pillage...And Peace

Upon a dead mound of rocks, Approached a man, a horse, With armored chest and visored face: Well-shielded all across. Looking back, he gestured motion Then there was a shout Of thundering voices in a parley-- Hark! A battle roust...!! On and on went blade and sword: Smote against smote; The same action was followed as if, The kill was conn'd by rote... Insane, the enemy on which they charged, Was forced to run amok; A blow here and a blow there, Death ceased those with less luck... All at once--all was shaken, All was left asunder; Disaster had struck this land of dread, Now all was left in plunder...: No more of the smiling parched faces, Covered in sandy gear; No more were there happy looks-- None happiness left to bear... They'd made a sudden chance On those men, women and kid; While none left to mourn askance-- The afterward's left placid... The dead were being searched for life: All alive left, were killed; The loot was being gathered up-- The gathering hands were skilled.. A subtle cry was then heard, And a hand was with hope raised; The General turned around that way, Scanned and sternly gazed... It was here that he came down-- The horse he did unmount; He neared the dying soldier's cry, Then plunged his sword in ground... A softer moan filled the air, As steel pierced a mesh; The bleeding heart bled some more, They'd met--Blood, Steel, Sand and Flesh...