 | Lyrics: By Martin F. Tupper |  |
175
Waterloo Avenged.
We thank thee, gracious Neighbour! we thank thee, glorious France!
We praise the Greatness that made haste to seize that golden chance,
The chance of taking vengeance, as of old ye swore to do,
And well redeem'd at Inkermann,—avenging Waterloo!
We praise the Greatness that made haste to seize that golden chance,
The chance of taking vengeance, as of old ye swore to do,
And well redeem'd at Inkermann,—avenging Waterloo!
O this indeed is chivalry, returning good for ill
(Though we—ye know it—in those days did only duty still,—)
This is the way to be revenged, the noblest and most true,
Returning France's Inkermann for England's Waterloo!
(Though we—ye know it—in those days did only duty still,—)
This is the way to be revenged, the noblest and most true,
Returning France's Inkermann for England's Waterloo!
Our gallant guards, not overmatch'd, though barely one to ten,
Could fight and die, but could not fly,—were demigods, not men,—
From foggy dawn to noon they fought that furious Russian crew,
Till France avenged at Inkermann her rival's Waterloo!
Could fight and die, but could not fly,—were demigods, not men,—
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Till France avenged at Inkermann her rival's Waterloo!
Avenged!—in coarse and common hate? by planting blow for blow?
Avenged!—in humbling Englishmen?—No! grateful England, No!
They heap'd the coals of vengeance as only Christians can,
And for our old-time Waterloo they gave us Inkermann!
Avenged!—in humbling Englishmen?—No! grateful England, No!
They heap'd the coals of vengeance as only Christians can,
And for our old-time Waterloo they gave us Inkermann!
So then, O brothers reconciled for ever and a day,
We own that you have conquer'd us, and in the grandest way;
Our patriot fathers made you bleed at Waterloo's red van,
But you more nobly bled for us, their sons, at Inkermann!
We own that you have conquer'd us, and in the grandest way;
Our patriot fathers made you bleed at Waterloo's red van,
But you more nobly bled for us, their sons, at Inkermann!
Yes! this is glory, this is conquest, this is fame indeed;
For you henceforth Old England's heart is vow'd to fight and bleed,—
Not front to front, like Waterloo,—but on the better plan
Of side by side, as when you bled for us at Inkermann!
For you henceforth Old England's heart is vow'd to fight and bleed,—
Not front to front, like Waterloo,—but on the better plan
Of side by side, as when you bled for us at Inkermann!
| Lyrics: By Martin F. Tupper | |