Castle “Bill”

Down on Gov’nors Island,
Ivy etched and chill,
Hollow as a halo,
There is Castle “Bill.”

Once the pride of outfits—
Prisoners under guard,
Form for evening roll-call
In the castle yard.

Sentries with their side arms,
Counting, one by one,
While the twilight tarries
For the sunset gun.

Miles away the music
Soundeth at parade
Chanting of Cochita,
Filipino maid;

Chanting of Cochita
Of Corregidor;
Piping of the palm trees
’Long Lunetta shore.

Dusty gunners listen,
Lead and chain and wheel;
Long ago Manila
Held them all to heel;

Boys from all battalions,
Saberless and still,
Waiting on a sunset—
Down in Castle “Bill.”