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

Full-galloping; nor bridle drew  Until he reached the mound.

II.

Then off there flung in smiling joy,  And held himself

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 sheathesA 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.