BRITISH SOLDIERY

The wounded Sidney, who despite his thirst,

Gave water to his comrade, shines, a lamp

In the Cimerian dark of Britain's camp.

Even the Raleigh, who so finely versed,

Preferred to such a light, the flame accursed

Of sword and torch, to please a royal vamp.

Is British triumph in its world-wide tramp

The Hell, still "lower than lowest"—Milton's worst?

Lord Christ! is British soldiery the swine,

In whose gross forms the fiends, exercised, flew?

Oh! watch them through the ages, they pursue

The noble and devour all things Divine.

Look! they illustrate horrors, which prove true

The Hell, which Milton's glimpse could not outline.