Narrative and Lyric Poems (first series) for use in the Lower School | Page 8

deep, the banks are steep, the island-shore lies wide; Nor man nor horse could stem its force, or reach the further side. See there! amidst the willow-boughs the serried[1] bayonets gleam, They've flung their bridge,--they've won the isle; the foe
have cross'd the stream! 10 Their volley flashes sharp and strong,--by all the saints!
I trow?There never yet was soldier born could force that passage now!"
So spoke the bold French Mareschal[2] with him who led the van, Whilst, rough and red before their view the turbid river ran. Nor bridge nor boat had they to cross the wild and swollen Rhine, 15 And thundering on the other bank far stretch'd the German line. Hard by there stood a swarthy man, was leaning on his sword, And a sadden'd smile lit up his face as he heard the Captain's word. "I've seen a wilder stream ere now than that which rushes there; I've stemm'd a heavier torrent yet and never thought to dare. 20 If German steel be sharp and keen, is ours not strong and true? There may be danger in the deed, but there is honour too."
The old lord in his saddle turn'd, and hastily he said,?"Hath bold Duguesclin's[3] fiery heart awaken'd from the dead? Thou art the leader of the Scots,--now well and sure I know, 25 That gentle blood in dangerous hour ne'er yet ran cold nor slow; And I have seen ye in the fight do all that mortal may:?If honour is the boon ye seek, it may be won this day,--?The prize is in the middle isle, there lies the adventurous way, And armies twain are on the plain, the daring deed to see,-- 30 Now ask thy gallant company if they will follow thee!"
Right gladsome look'd the Captain then, and nothing did he say, But he turn'd him to his little band, O, few, I ween, were they! The relics of the bravest force that ever fought in fray. No one of all that company but bore a gentle name, 35 Not one whose fathers had not stood in Scotland's fields of fame. All they had march'd with great Dundee[4] to where he fought and fell, And in the deadly battle-strife had venged their leader well;
And they had bent the knee to earth when every eye was dim, As o'er their hero's buried corpse they sang the funeral hymn; 40 And they had trod the Pass[5] once more, and stoop'd on either side. To pluck the heather from the spot where he had dropp'd and died, And they had bound it next their hearts, and ta'en a last farewell Of Scottish earth and Scottish sky, where Scotland's glory fell. Then went they forth to foreign lands like bent and broken men, 45 Who leave their dearest hope behind, and may not turn again.
"The stream," he said, "is broad and deep, and stubborn is the foe,-- Yon island-strength is guarded well,--say, brothers, will ye go? From home and kin for many a year our steps have wander'd wide, And never may our bones be laid our fathers' graves beside. 50 No children have we to lament, no wives to wail our fall; The traitor's and the spoiler's hand have reft our hearths of all. But we have hearts, and we have arms, as strong to will and dare As when our ancient banners flew within the northern air. Come, brothers! let me name a spell, shall rouse your souls again, 55 And send the old blood bounding free through pulse and heart and vein. Call back the days of bygone years,--be young and strong once more; Think yonder stream, so stark and red, is one we've cross'd before.
Rise, hill and glen! rise, crag and wood! rise up on either hand,-- Again upon the Garry's[6] banks, on Scottish soil we stand! 60 Again I see the tartans[7] wave, again the trumpets ring; Again I hear our leader's call; 'Upon them for the King!' Stay'd we behind that glorious day for roaring flood or linn?[8] The soul of Graeme is with us still,--now, brothers, will ye in?" No stay,--no pause. With one accord, they grasp'd each
other's hand, 65 Then plunged into the angry flood, that bold and dauntless band. High flew the spray above their heads, yet onward still they bore, Midst cheer, and shout, and answering yell, and shot, and cannon-roar,-- "Now, by the Holy Cross! I swear, since earth and sea began, Was never such a daring deed essay'd by mortal man!" 70
Thick blew the smoke across the stream, and faster flash'd the flame: The water plash'd in hissing jets as ball and bullet came. Yet onward push'd the Cavaliers all stern and undismay'd, With thousand armed foes before, and none behind to aid.?Once, as they near'd the middle stream, so strong the torrent swept, 75 That