1. ۱You know, we French stormed Ratisbon:
2. ۲ A mile or so away
3. ۳On a little mound, Napoleon
4. ۴ Stood on our storming-day;
5. ۵With neck out-thrust, you fancy how,
6. ۶ Legs wide, arms locked behind,
7. ۷As if to balance the prone brow
8. ۸ Oppressive with its mind.
9. ۹
10. ۱۰Just as perhaps he mused "My plans
11. ۱۱ That soar, to earth may fall,
12. ۱۲Let once my army-leader Lannes
13. ۱۳ Waver at yonder wall"--
14. ۱۴Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew
15. ۱۵ A rider, bound on bound
16. ۱۶Full-galloping; nor bridle drew
17. ۱۷ Until he reached the mound,
18. ۱۸
19. ۱۹Then off there flung in smiling joy,
20. ۲۰ And held himself ...
21. ۲۱By just his horse's mane, a boy:
22. ۲۲ You hardly could suspect--
23. ۲۳(So tight he kept his lips compressed.
24. ۲۴ Scarce any blood came through)
25. ۲۵You looked twice ere you saw his ...
26. ۲۶ Was all but shot in two.
27. ۲۷
28. ۲۸"Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace
29. ۲۹ We've got you Ratisbon!
30. ۳۰The Marshal's in the market-place,
31. ۳۱ And you'll be there anon
32. ۳۲To see your flag-bird flap his vans
33. ۳۳ Where I, to heart's desire,
34. ۳۴Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed; his plans
35. ۳۵ Soared up again like fire.
36. ۳۶
37. ۳۷The chief's eye flashed; but presently
38. ۳۸ Softened itself, as sheathes
39. ۳۹A film the mother-eagle's eye
40. ۴۰ When her bruised eaglet breathes.
41. ۴۱"You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride
42. ۴۲ Touched to the quick, he said:
43. ۴۳"I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside,
44. ۴۴ Smiling, the boy fell dead.