The day before the assault, while upon drill—
For this great conqueror played the corporal—
Some Cossacques, hovering like hawks round a hill,
Had met a party towards the Twilight’s fall,
One of whom spoke their tongue—or well or ill,
’Twas much that he was understood at all;
But whether from his voice, or speech, or manner,
They found that he had fought beneath their banner.