Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, REINFORCEMENTS FOR LORD WELLINGTON, by THOMAS MOORE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REINFORCEMENTS FOR LORD WELLINGTON, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: As recruits in these times are not easily got
Last Line: At present no more but -- good luck to the shipment!
Alternate Author Name(s): Little, Thomas
Subject(s): Wellesley, Arthur (1769-1852); Wellington, Duke Of


As recruits in these times are not easily got,
And the Marshal must 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 taking and keeping of places;
And Volunteer C -- nn -- g, still ready for joining,
Might show off his talent for sly undermining.
Could the Household but spare us its glory and pride,
Old H -- df -- t at horn-works again might be tried,
And the Ch -- f J -- st -- e make a bold charge at his side!
While V -- ns -- tt -- t could victual the troops upon tick,
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 en masse?
And though oft, of an evening, perhaps, he might prove,
Like our brave Spanish allies, "unable to move,"
Yet there 's one thing, in war of advantage unbounded,
Which is that he could not with ease be surrounded!
In my next I shall sing of their arms and equipment!
At present no more but -- good luck to the shipment!







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