Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


REINFORCEMENTS FOR LORD WELLINGTON by THOMAS MOORE

Poem Explanation

First Line: AS RECRUITS IN THESE TIMES ARE NOT EASILY GOT
Last Line: AT PRESENT NO MORE BUT -- GOOD LUCK TO THE SHIPMENT!
Subject(s): WELLESLEY, ARTHUR (1769-1852); WELLINGTON, DUKE OF;

As recruits in these times are not easily got,
And the Marshal @3must@1 have them -- pray, why should we not,
As the last and, I grant it, the worst of our loans to him,
Ship off the Ministry, body and bones to him?
There 's not in all England, I'd venture to swear,
Any men we could half so conveniently spare,
And, though they've been helping the French for years past,
We may thus make them useful to England at last.

C -- stl -- r -- gh in our sieges might save some disgraces,
Being used to the @3taking@1 and @3keeping@1 of @3places;@1
And Volunteer C -- nn -- g, still ready for joining,
Might show off his talent for sly @3undermining@1.
Could the Household but spare us its glory and pride,
Old H -- df -- t at @3horn-works@1 again might be tried,
And the Ch -- f J -- st -- e make a @3bold charge@1 at his side!
While V -- ns -- tt -- t could victual the troops @3upon tick@1,
And the Doctor look after the baggage and sick.

Nay, I do not see why the great R -- g -- t himself
Should, in times such as these, stay at home on the shelf; --
Though through narrow defiles he 's not fitted to pass,
Yet who could resist, if he bore down @3en masse?@1
And though oft, of an evening, perhaps, he might prove,
Like our brave Spanish allies, "unable to move,"
Yet there 's @3one@1 thing, in war of advantage unbounded,
Which is that he could not with ease be @3surrounded!@1
In my next I shall sing of their arms and equipment!
At present no more but -- good luck to the shipment!





Home: PoetryExplorer.net