From tree-tops where tired winds are fain, And strew faint sweetness from some old THROUGH THE METIDJA TO ABD-EL-KADR. To our Chief and his Allied, Who dares chide my heart's pride As I ride, as I ride? Or are witnesses denied Through the desert waste and wide Do I glide unespied As I ride, as I ride? III As I ride, as I ride, When an inner voice has cried, The sands slide, nor abide (As I ride, as I ride) O'er each visioned homicide That came vaunting (has he lied?) To reside-where he died, As I ride, as I ride. As I ride, as I ride, IV Ne'er has spur my swift horse plied, As I ride, as I ride, Shows where sweat has sprung and dried, -Zebra-footed, ostrich-thighed- How has vied stride with stride As I ride, as I ride! As I ride, as I ride, V Could I loose what Fate has tied, All that's meant me-satisfied When the Prophet and the Bride Stop veins I'd have subside As I ride, as I ride! INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP. I You know, we French stormed Ratisbon : A mile or so away On a little mound, Napoleon Stood on our storming-day; With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, Legs wide, arms locked behind, As if to balance the prone brow Oppressive with its mind. II Just as perhaps he mused "My plans Out 'twixt the battery smokes there flew Until he reached the mound. III Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect By just his horse's mane, a boy : You looked twice ere you saw his breast Was all but shot in two. IV "Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace "We've got you Ratisbon ! "The Marshal's in the market-place, "And you'll be there anon "To see your flag-bird flap his vans "Where I, to heart's desire, "Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed; his plans Soared up again like fire. V The chief's eye flashed; but presently Softened itself, as sheathes A film the mother-eagle's eye When her bruised eaglet breathes. "You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride Touched to the quick, he said: "I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside, Smiling the boy fell dead. THE LOST LEADER. I JUST for a handful of silver he left us, How all our copper had gone for his service! Rags-were they purple, his heart had been proud! We that had loved him so, followed him, honoured him, Lived in his mild and magnificent eye, Learned his great language, caught his clear accents, Burns, Shelley, were with us,-they watch from their graves! He alone breaks from the van and the freemen, II We shall march prospering,-not thro' his presence; One wrong more to man, one more insult to God! Best fight on well, for we taught him-strike gallantly, Then let him receive the new knowledge and wait us, Pardoned in heaven, the first by the throne ! IN A GONDOLA. He sings. I SEND my heart up to thee, all my heart In this my singing. For the stars help me, and the sea bears part; The very night is clinging Closer to Venice' streets to leave one space Above me, whence thy face May light my joyous heart to thee its dwelling-place. She speaks. Say after me, and try to say My very words, as if each word Came from you of your own accord, |