A stormy evening on a far-stretched plain Of meadow-land and corn-land,—and a host Of stubborn red-coats holding every post Against the interminable cannon-rain. Oh, to live through that deathless day again! The day when the Old Guard he valued most, Napoleon,—found their world-wide fierce-lipped boast, Valid a thousand times, this one time vain. The blue long lines in motion, and the red Long line as steady as a wall of stone!— The Old Guard, whose bearskins through all Europe sped, Swept in response to their pale Leader's tone Against the red calm ranks;—then with a groan Wavered,—and turned,—and the whole world's conquerors fled! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DEFENSE OF THE ALAMO [MARCH 6, 1835] by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER AMORETTI: 15 by EDMUND SPENSER INCIDENT CHARACTERISTIC OF A FAVOURITE DOG by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH HAVE YOU PLANTED A TREE? by HENRY ABBEY PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 86. AL-JAMI'H by EDWIN ARNOLD ANNA BULLEN, ACT 1: SHORT CURSE by JOHN BANKS (17TH CENTURY-) |