II

Just as perhaps he mused, “My plans
        That soar, to earth may fall, 10
Let once my army-leader Lannes
        Waver at yonder wall.”
0ut ’twixt the battery-smokes there flew
        A rider, bound on bound
Full-galloping; nor bridle drew
        Until he reached the mound.

III

Then off there flung in smiling joy,
        And held himself erect
By just his horse’s mane, a boy: 
        You hardly could suspect 20
(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, 30
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 sheathes
A 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. 40

Notes:  “Incident of the French Camp.”  A story of modest heroism.  The incident related is said by Mrs. Orr to be a true one of the siege of Ratisbon by Napoleon in 1809—­except that the real hero was a man.

I. Ratisbon:  (German Regensburg), an ancient city of Bavaria on the right bank of the Danube, has endured seventeen sieges since the tenth century, the last one being that of Napoleon, 18O9.

II.  Lannes:  Duke of Montebello, one of Napoleon’s generals.

THE PATRIOT

AN OLD STORY

I

It was roses, roses, all the way,
        With myrtle mixed in my path like mad: 
The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway,
        The church-spires flamed, such flags they had,
A year ago on this very day.

II

The air broke into a mist with bells,
        The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries. 
Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels—­
        But give me your sun from yonder skies!”
They had answered, “And afterward, what else?” 10

III