Elegies & Epitaphs (Paperback)

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. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ... in him combined: He had the fierceness of the manliest mind, And yet the meekness too of womankind. 5 He never knew what envy was, or hate. His soul was filled with worth and honesty, And with another thing, quite out of date, Called modesty. When all the nation he had won: And with expense of blood had bought Store great enough, he thought, Of glory and renown: He then his arms laid down With just as little pride X5 As if he had been of his enemy s side; Or one of them could do, that were undone. He neither wealth nor places sought; He never for himself but others fought. He was content to know 20 (For he had found it so) That, when he pleased, to conquer he was able; And leave the spoil and plunder to the rabble. He might have been a king, But that he understood:5 How much it was a meaner thing To be unjustly great than honourably good. G. V1LLIERs, DUKE or BUCKINGHAM. SOUTHEY " 61 THE STANDARD-BEARER S EPITAPH STEEP is the soldier s path; nor are the heights Of glory to be won without long toil And arduous efforts of enduring hope; Save when Death takes the aspirant by the hand, And cutting short the work of years, at once 5 Lifts him to that conspicuous eminence. Such fate was mine.-----The standard of the Buffs I bore at Albuhera, on that day VVhen, covered by a shower, and fatally For friends misdeemed, the Polish lancers fell 10 Upon our rear. Surrounding me, they claimed My precious charge.-- Not but with life I cried, And life was given for immortality. The flag which to my heart I held, when wet With that heart s blood, was soon Victoriously 15 Regained on that great day. In former times, Marlborough beheld it borne at R/amilies; For Brunswick and for liberty it waved Triumphant at...