SONG—THE HEROES OF THE ALMA.

The Heroes of the Alma!
     Right gallantly they fought!
          No flinching knave,
          Or craven slave,
     For coward quarter sought! [Page 199]

But manfully, and zealously,
     Each hero struck, that day,
          As up the height
          The arm of might
     Impelled the strong array.

The heroes of the Alma!
     Intrepidly they stood,
          As stood of old
          Their Fathers bold,
     On Cressy’s field of blood.

Right manfully, and zealously,
     They pressed the swerving foe—
          Not all his might
          Could hold the height
     Against so firm a blow.

The heroes of the Alma!
     Exultingly they trode;
          Though every breath
          Was fraught with death,
     Loud swelled the Battle-Ode.

     Right manfully, and thrillingly,
          Uprose the Victor-Psalm,
               As on the height,
               With arm of might,
     The Allies grasped the palm.

The Heroes of the Alma!
     Well may their pæans flow: [Page 200]
          For never yet
          Was tyrant met
     With more decisive blow!

Right manfully, intrepidly,
     Each Briton proved his might,
          And every Gaul
          Stood up a Saul,
     Upon that groaning height.

Brave Heroes of the Alma!
     Each man a Victor-God!
          Your noble dead,
          Who fought and bled,
     Cry vengeance from the sod!

Right manfully, and zealously,
     Uphold your high renown,
          And heav’n will aid
          Each righteous blade
     To strike the Tyrant down! [Page 201]