Incident of the French Camp

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1. You know, we French storm'd Ratisbon:
2. A mile or so away
3. On a little mound, Napoleon
4. Stood on our storming-day;
5. With neck out-thrust, you fancy how,
6. Legs wide, arms lock'd behind,
7. As if to balance the prone brow
8. Oppressive with its mind.
9.  
10. Just as perhaps he mus'd "My plans
11. That soar, to earth may fall,
12. Let once my army leader Lannes
13. Waver at yonder wall,"—
14. Out 'twixt the battery smokes there flew
15. A rider, bound on bound
16. Full-galloping; nor bridle drew
17. Until he reach'd the mound.
18.  
19. Then off there flung in smiling joy,
20. And held himself erect
21. By just his horse's mane, a boy:
22. You hardly could suspect—
23. (So tight he kept his lips compress'd,
24. Scarce any blood came through)
25. You look'd twice ere you saw his breast
26. Was all but shot in two.
27.  
28. "Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace
29. We've got you Ratisbon!
30. The Marshal's in the market-place,
31. And you'll be there anon
32. To see your flag-bird flap his vans
33. Where I, to heart's desire,
34. Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed; his plans
35. Soared up again like fire.
36.  
37. The chief's eye flashed; but presently
38. Softened itself, as sheathes
39. A film the mother-eagle's eye
40. When her bruised eaglet breathes;
41. "You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride
42. Touched to the quick, he said:
43. "I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside,
44. Smiling the boy fell dead.