Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1825.pdf/47

46 Literary Gazette, 22nd October, 1825, Page 684

His plume was the meteor that led the band, His steed was the first in the line; Like light his falchion flashed above, But blood soon darkened its shine.

He stood alone (for they fled or fell) By the wounded warrior's side; "One charge (he cried) for St. Denis and France!" But the war-cry unanswered died.

He lay him beneath an aged oak, The life-blood gushed from his breast; He looked not on that, but gazed where in dust Lay his own soiled falcon crest;

And hastened the Bourbon to see if aught Of human help could save, And spoke in words of pity and grief, As he leant o'er the fallen brave.

But sterner grew the Knight's brow of death— "What hast thou in common with me? I die for my God, my Country, my King—    Pity, Traitor, is for thee."L. E. L.