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

  ``That soar, to earth may fall,

``Let once my army-leader Lannes

  ``Waver at yonder wall,''—-

Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew

  A rider, bound on bound

Full-galloping; nor bridle drew

  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 hardly could suspect—-

(So tight he kept his lips compressed,

  Scarce any blood came through)

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.

This incident described is supposed to have happened during one of the campaigns of the Napoleonic war.