Poems, on sacred and other subjects and songs, humorous and sentimental: By the late William Watt. Third edition of the songs only--with additional songs |
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 | Poems, on sacred and other subjects |  |
II.
In front appears great Alexander,
The far-famed Grecian commander,
On whose brow sat deliberation
In this momentous situation;
Cool, yet intrepid, was his mien;
He first in danger still was seen;
Undaunted views the Persian host
While others judged the cause was lost.
Ere yet the gallant bands engage,
To fire each mind with martial rage,
He thus address'd his daring few,
Who were arranged in order due:—
The far-famed Grecian commander,
On whose brow sat deliberation
In this momentous situation;
Cool, yet intrepid, was his mien;
He first in danger still was seen;
Undaunted views the Persian host
While others judged the cause was lost.
Ere yet the gallant bands engage,
To fire each mind with martial rage,
He thus address'd his daring few,
Who were arranged in order due:—
“Heroes! you see the time draws nigh
To be enslaved, or nobly die
Beneath the conq'ring foe!
Each hold, with death grasp, sword or spear,
Nor flinch a foot, in van or rear,
For all their glaring show!
Though on they move, in phalanx deep,
Sheer from the plain our files to sweep,
Withstand the shock quite undismay'd;
For lance or spear be none afraid;
Their weak effeminated front
Will yield, when once it feels your brunt;
And then, into confusion driven,
The vict'ry sure to us is given.
Remember how—in days of yore,
What hate they to our fathers bore,
When Xerxes led his countless band
To spread destruction o'er our land—
Our valiant sires them vanquish'd quite,
And put the cumbrous horde to flight.
Spoil for the spoiler there you see,
If you on plunder bent should be;
Revenge for those whose fathers fled
Before their power, or nobly bled:
Remember, that in no community
Strength lies in numbers, but in unity.
The day is ours, I see it, won
Before the setting of the sun;
Th' immortal hills our stable flanks;
‘Revenge or death’ rings through our ranks!
Our hearts are true, our cause is just,
And Persia yield before us must!”
To be enslaved, or nobly die
Beneath the conq'ring foe!
322
Nor flinch a foot, in van or rear,
For all their glaring show!
Though on they move, in phalanx deep,
Sheer from the plain our files to sweep,
Withstand the shock quite undismay'd;
For lance or spear be none afraid;
Their weak effeminated front
Will yield, when once it feels your brunt;
And then, into confusion driven,
The vict'ry sure to us is given.
Remember how—in days of yore,
What hate they to our fathers bore,
When Xerxes led his countless band
To spread destruction o'er our land—
Our valiant sires them vanquish'd quite,
And put the cumbrous horde to flight.
Spoil for the spoiler there you see,
If you on plunder bent should be;
Revenge for those whose fathers fled
Before their power, or nobly bled:
Remember, that in no community
Strength lies in numbers, but in unity.
The day is ours, I see it, won
Before the setting of the sun;
Th' immortal hills our stable flanks;
‘Revenge or death’ rings through our ranks!
Our hearts are true, our cause is just,
And Persia yield before us must!”
| Poems, on sacred and other subjects | |