history from an angle

the battle's been decided by great treason
the losing leader's already bought and sold
yet still his men look to him for a reason
to stand and fight although they have been told
that they're to go free once the day is ended
they're not to be counted among the worst
still they have desire for vengeance blended
with the knowledge that they're already cursed
nothing else can explain that final angry stand
the way they rushed themselves into the battle
most eager to serve and die at his command
seeing the enemy as no more than cattle
they enter into the last combat the final affray
not knowing that they're characters in a play