What Two Saw

I heard thunder of drums, and the trumpet's blast;
And I saw red banners that waved on the air;
And I heard the shouts of those fighting there;
I saw fires blaze, saw the tents o'ercast.
Saw cannon front cannon, deep, deadly, and vast;
Heard the conqueror's shout, the cries of despair
Of falling and wounded, who died with the glare
Of flame on their features, distraught, and aghast.

You stood beside me, but what did you see? —
No field of battle, but one sown with corn,
Yellow corn, which in time man's bread should be;
You heard not the cry of the hope forlorn;
You heard not the feet of the hosts that flee, —
But my soul at your feet lay dead, down borne.