Incident of the French Camp

9Just as perhaps he mused "My plans

10 That soar, to earth may fall,

11Let once my army-leader Lannes

12 Waver at yonder wall" —

13Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew

14 A rider, bound on bound

15Full-galloping; nor bridle drew

16 Until he reached the mound,

17Then off there flung in smiling joy,

18 And held himself erect

19By just his horse's mane, a boy:

20 You hardly could suspect —

21(So tight he kept his lips compressed.

22 Scarce any blood came through)

23You looked twice ere you saw his breast

24 Was all but shot in two.

25"Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace

26 We've got you Ratisbon!

27The Marshal's in the market-place,

28 And you'll be there anon

29To see your flag-bird flap his vans

30 Where I, to heart's desire,

31Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed; his plans

32 Soared up again like fire.

33The chief's eye flashed; but presently

34 Softened itself, as sheathes

35A film the mother-eagle's eye

36 When her bruised eaglet breathes.

37"You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride

38 Touched to the quick, he said:

39"I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside,

40 Smiling, the boy fell dead.