Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | III. War | | Cavalry Song | | Edmund Clarence Stedman (1833–1908) |
| | From “Alice of Monmouth”
OUR good steeds snuff the evening air, | |
| Our pulses with their purpose tingle; | |
| The foeman’s fires are twinkling there; | |
| He leaps to hear our sabres jingle! | |
| HALT! | 5 |
| Each carbine send its whizzing ball: | |
| Now, cling! clang! forward all, | |
| Into the fight! | |
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| Dash on beneath the smoking dome: | |
| Through level lightnings gallop nearer! | 10 |
| One look to Heaven! No thoughts of home: | |
| The guidons that we bear are dearer. | |
| CHARGE! | |
| Cling! clang! forward all! | |
| Heaven help those whose horses fall: | 15 |
| Cut left and right! | |
| |
| They flee before our fierce attack! | |
| They fall! they spread in broken surges. | |
| Now, comrades, bear our wounded back, | |
| And leave the foeman to his dirges. | 20 |
| WHEEL! | |
| The bugles sound the swift recall: | |
| Cling! clang! backward all! | |
| Home, and good night! | | | | |
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