Sonnets on the War By Alexander Smith and By the Author of "Balder" and "The Roman" [S. T. Dobell] |
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ALMA. |
 | Sonnets on the War |  |
13
ALMA.
The Chasseurs spread like flame from crag to crag,The lowering English silence was unbroke;
“Forward” strung all our columns, and a shock
Of valour tingled to the dancing flag.
A wild cheer drowned the cannon. Blind with smoke,
Stumbling o'er rocks, shattered with shell and shot,
We staggered on. Our banner,—glorious rag,—
Is dashed to earth,—from dying hands 'tis caught,
Again 'tis foremost in the stern advance.
Hurrah! We see the faces of our foes!
A blinding gush of flame, a rank goes down,
A stifling vapour hides the bloody close.
Up springs the breeze; and lo! on Alma's crown
Stand sternly-lowering England and flushed France.
| Sonnets on the War | |