Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/224

220 On swept the squadrons! Then we looked where last the band was seen: A scarlet heap was all that marked the place where they had been! Still forward spurred the horsemen, eager to complete the rout; But our lines had been re-formed now, and five thousand guns belched out A reception to the squadrons,—rank on rank was piled that day. Every bullet hissed out 'Vengeance!' as it whistled on its way.

"And now it was, with maddened hearts, we saw a galling sight: A French hussar was riding close beneath us on the right,— He held a British standard! With insulting shout he stood. And waved the flag,—its heavy folds drooped down with shame and blood,— The blood of hearts unconquered: 'twas the flag of the stanch corps