| |
| THOUGH the four quarters of the world have seen | |
| The British valor proved triumphantly | |
| Upon the French, in many a field far-famed, | |
| Yet may the noble Island in her rolls | |
| Of glory write Barrosa’s name. For there, | 5 |
| Not by the issue of deliberate plans | |
| Consulted well, was the fierce contest won, | |
| Nor by the leader’s eye intuitive, | |
| Nor force of either arm of war, nor art | |
| Of skilled artillerist, nor the discipline | 10 |
| Of troops to absolute obedience trained; | |
| But by the spring and impulse of the heart, | |
| Brought fairly to the trial, when all else | |
| Seemed, like a wrestler’s garment, thrown aside; | |
| By individual courage and the sense | 15 |
| Of honor, their old country’s, and their own, | |
| There to be forfeited, or there upheld;— | |
| This warmed the soldier’s soul, and gave his hand | |
| The strength that carries with it victory. | |
| More to enhance their praise, the day was fought | 20 |
| Against all circumstance: a painful march, | |
| Through twenty hours of night and day prolonged, | |
| Forespent the British troops; and hope delayed | |
| Had left their spirits palled. But when the word | |
| Was given to turn, and charge, and win the heights, | 25 |
| The welcome order came to them like rain | |
| Upon a traveller in the thirsty sands. | |
| Rejoicing, up the ascent, and in the front | |
| Of danger, they with steady step advanced, | |
| And with the insupportable bayonet | 30 |
| Drove down the foe. The vanquished Victor saw, | |
| And thought of Talavera, and deplored | |
| His eagle lost. But England saw, well pleased, | |
| Her old ascendency that day sustained; | |
| And Scotland, shouting over all her hills, | 35 |
| Among her worthies ranked another Graham. | |
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