 | The Writings of Bret Harte |  |
A CAVALRY SONG
O, potent in patriot fields,
Is the union of swiftness and force;
In the uplifted steel,
And the prick of the heel,
And the long swinging tramp of the horse.
Is the union of swiftness and force;
In the uplifted steel,
And the prick of the heel,
And the long swinging tramp of the horse.
353
O, the Infantry make a brave show,
With the squares that no foeman dare cross;
But their long files go down,
When the rattling hoofs drown
Their roulade with the tramp of the horse.
With the squares that no foeman dare cross;
But their long files go down,
When the rattling hoofs drown
Their roulade with the tramp of the horse.
O, the Cannoneer's lintstocks are bright,
And the throats of their engines are hoarse;
But their thunder is dumb
When the Cavalry come,
With the lightnings that leap from the horse.
And the throats of their engines are hoarse;
But their thunder is dumb
When the Cavalry come,
With the lightnings that leap from the horse.
Then, up in the stirrup and ride!
No obstacles checking our course,
Till the continent's length
Is filled with the strength
Of the charging of Liberty's horse!
No obstacles checking our course,
Till the continent's length
Is filled with the strength
Of the charging of Liberty's horse!
| The Writings of Bret Harte | |