Classic Poem

CHORUS OF BARDS .

I. i.

R OUSE to Fight, to Conquest rouse!
Your Seaxes grasp, and hided Shields,
The glistering Bill, the Cras-bow strong:
Rouse to Fight, to Conquest rouse!
The Meed of Triumph waits your Brows;
To Arms! the triple Chieftains call, to Arms, to Arms!

I. ii.

While each his dirsty Weapon wields
Glory, the warrior Glory, warms;
And thus we chaunt the solemn Song;
Rouse to fight, to Conquest rouse!
The Meed of Triumph waits your Brows;
To Arms! the triple Chieftains call, to Arms, to Arms!

I. iii.

Thy Cining's-helme, O V ORTIGERN ,
Flashes it's terrors all around: —
He lowers, he frowns, and fell and stern
He rages wide; quick as they turn
His stricken foes shall bite the ground.

I. iv.

And ye the war-worn Woden's blood,
Whose lion eye-balls gleam with fate,
Death shall receive, or Glory wait;
Lead on to arms — to Death or Glory lead!
But first forth rushes the wind-winged speed
Of Hengist, as the proud and brickening steed
Whom generous dam (in Crag or Wood
Beneath a tempest-troubled sky)
Bears to the ruffling and rude-wooing blast,
And boasts that he alone shall vie
With her in strength, with her in sight-outrunning haste:
Gaunt Revenge sits on his brow,
Hate and thirst of slaughter glow
His reddening cheeks; and down below,
O'er his broad back his flaxen tresses flow;
Beside him prompts his rage, provokes his fire
The sainted Spirit of his warlike Sire:
And he such deeds of Death shall do,
Working many a warrior's bane,
Scotia's bands his wrath shall rue,
And Pyctan Chiefs lie round him battle-slain.

I. v.

See where it goes, the British land-wave goes
Where Read affrighted flows
Amid Northumbrian crags to meet the fiery foes!
Courage! the thunder-throated Horsa cries,
As thro' the many-trampled field he flies;
Courage! and shakes his red flag to the skies;
Courage! the whole big battling Host replies,
Fierce war and fiery furies leaping from their eyes;
He that, e're the dew be down,
Stoutly fights, and stoutly falls;
Him, feasting in their airy halls,
His Fathers with a meeting smile shall own:
Courage to fight, Courage to die,
The Banquet of the fallen brave shall buy!