poetry 14

INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP
ROBERT BROWNING

You know we french stormed ratisbon
A mile or so away
On a little mound napoleon
Stood on our storing day
With neck out thrust you fancy how
Legs wide arms locked behind
As if to balance the prone brow
Oppressive with its mind

Just as perhaps he mused my plans
That soar to earth may fall
Let once my army leader lanes 
Waver at yonder wall
Our twixt the battery smokes there flaw
A rider bound on bound 
Full galloping nor bridle drew
Until he reached the mound 

Then off here flung in smiling joy
And held himself erect
By just his horse's mane a boy
You hardly could suspect
So tight he kept his lips compressed
Scare any blood came through
You looked twice you saw his breast 
Was all but shot in two

Well cried he emperor by God grace
We got you ratisbon
The marshal in the market place
And you be there anon
To see your flag bird flap his vans 
Where i to heart desire
Perched hum the chief eye flashed his plans 
Soared up again like fire

The chief eye flashed but presently
Softened itself as sheathes
A film the  mother eagle eye 
When her bruised eaglet breathes 
You're wounded nay his soldier pride 
Touched to the quick he said
I'm killed sire and his chief beside
Smiling the boy fell dead...