Ballads of Battle and Bravery

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ... the white infernal Powder-clond; And his broad-sword was swinging, And his brazen throat was ringing Trumpet lond. Then the blue Bullets flew, And the trooper-jackets redden at the touch of the leaden Rifle-breath; And rounder, ronnder, rounder roared the iron sixpounder, Hurling death! Gut Humphrey Momastek. 6 SONG OF MARION'S MEN, Our band is few, bnt true and tried, Our leader frank and bold; The British soldier trembles When Marion's name is told. Our fortress is the good greenwood, Our tent the cypress-tree; We know the forest round us, As seamen know the sea; We know its walls of thorny vines, Its glades of reedy grass, Its safe and silent islands Within the dark morass. Woe to the English soldiery That little dread us near I On them shall light at midnight A strange and sndden fear; When, waking to their tents on fire, They grasp their arms in vain, And they who stand to face ns Are beat to earth again; And they who fly in terror deem A mighty host behind, And hear the tramp of thousands Upon the hollow wind. Then sweet the hour that brings release From danger and from toil: We talk the battle over, And share the battle's spoil. The woodland rings with langh and shont, As if a hunt were np, And woodland flowers are gathered To crown the soldier's cup. With merry songs we mock the wind That in the pine-top grieves, And slumber long and. sweetly On beds of oaken leaves. Well knows the fair and friendly moon The band that Marion leads--. The glitter of their rifles, The scampering of their steeds. 'Tis life to guide the fiery barb Across the moonlight plain; 'Tis life to feel the night-wind That lifts his tossing mane. A moment in the British camp--A moment--and away Back to the pathless forest, Before the peep of day. Grave men...