The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
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 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
While Britain's foremost line thus early foil'd,
Form'd on the second as the ranks recoil'd;
Between the hosts a space now open'd large,
Instant our chief bade sound the general charge.
No blythesome lark that chaunts the birth of light,
Nor soothing Philomela's notes at night,
Nor virgin-voice responsive to her lyre,
Can like the battle-sound the soul inspire:
Each milder thought in martial transport drown'd,
Than music more, there's magic in the sound;
Through tingling veins a tide tumultuous rolls
Advent'rous valour to heroic souls.
Swift to the sound he bade the battle move;
Of Bayonne's bristly pikes an iron grove!
Bade livid lightning nearer bosoms singe,
The scorch'd skin blacken and the red wound twinge:
Bade bick'ring blades in British gore be dyed,
And vital crimson flow in many a tide:
Bade leaden hail its vollied vengeance pour,
And all the thunder of the battle roar.
Form'd on the second as the ranks recoil'd;
Between the hosts a space now open'd large,
Instant our chief bade sound the general charge.
No blythesome lark that chaunts the birth of light,
Nor soothing Philomela's notes at night,
Nor virgin-voice responsive to her lyre,
Can like the battle-sound the soul inspire:
Each milder thought in martial transport drown'd,
Than music more, there's magic in the sound;
Through tingling veins a tide tumultuous rolls
Advent'rous valour to heroic souls.
Swift to the sound he bade the battle move;
Of Bayonne's bristly pikes an iron grove!
Bade livid lightning nearer bosoms singe,
The scorch'd skin blacken and the red wound twinge:
Bade bick'ring blades in British gore be dyed,
And vital crimson flow in many a tide:
Bade leaden hail its vollied vengeance pour,
And all the thunder of the battle roar.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |