| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 375. A Sight in Camp in the Day-Break Gray and Dim |
| | | By Walt Whitman |
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| A SIGHT in camp in the daybreak gray and dim, | |
| As from my tent I emerge so early sleepless, | |
| As slow I walk in the cool fresh air the path near by the hospital tent, | |
| Three forms I see on stretchers lying, brought out there untended lying, | |
| Over each the blanket spread, ample brownish woolen blanket, | 5 |
| Gray and heavy blanket, folding, covering all. | |
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| Curious I halt and silent stand, | |
| Then with light fingers I from the face of the nearest, the first, just lift the blanket; | |
| Who are you, elderly man so gaunt and grim, with well-grayed hair, and flesh all sunken about the eyes? | |
| Who are you, my dear comrade? | 10 |
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| Then to the second I stepped—and who are you, my child and darling? | |
| Who are you, sweet boy with cheeks yet blooming? | |
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| Then to the third—a face nor child nor old, very calm, as of beautiful yellow-white ivory; | |
| Young man, I think I know you—I think this face is the face of the Christ himself, | |
| Dead and divine and brother of all, and here again he lies. | 15 |
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