I

   You know, we French stormed Ratisbon:

           A mile or so away,

   On a little mound, Napoleon

           Stood on our storming-day;

   With neck out-thrust, you fancy how,

           Legs wide, arms locked behind,

   As if to balance the prone brow

           Oppressive with its mind.

   II

   Just as perhaps he mused, "My plans

           That soar, to earth may fall,                          10

   Let once my army-leader Lannes

           Waver at yonder wall."

   Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew

           A rider, bound on bound

   Full-galloping; nor bridle drew

           Until he reached the mound.

   III

   Then off there flung in smiling joy,

           And held himself erect

   By just his horse's mane, a boy:

           You hardly could suspect                               20

   (So tight he kept his lips compressed

           Scarce any blood came through)

   You looked twice ere you saw his breast

           Was all but shot in two.

   IV

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

           "We've got you Ratisbon!

   "The Marshal's in the market-place,

           And you'll be there anon

   To see your flag-bird flap his vans

           Where I, to heart's desire,                            30

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

           Soared up again like fire.

   V

   The chief's eye flashed, but presently

           Softened itself, as sheathes

   A film the mother-eagle's-eye

           When her bruised eaglet breathes,

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

           Touched to the quick, he said:

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

           Smiling the boy fell dead.                             40

   NOTES:

   "Incident of the French Camp." A story of modest heroism.

   The incident related is said by Mrs. Orr to be a true one

   of the siege of Ratisbon by Napoleon in 1809—except

   that the real hero was a man.

   I. Ratisbon: (German Regensburg), an ancient city

   of Bavaria on the right bank of the Danube, has endured

   seventeen sieges since the tenth century, the last one being

   that of Napoleon, 1809.

   II. Lannes:  Duke of Montebello, one of Napoleon's generals.