THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.

The metre, movement, and idea of Tennyson’s Charge of the Six Hundred at Balaklava, are evidently derived from Michael Drayton’s Battle of Agincourt, published in 1627. The first, middle and last stanzas of Drayton’s poem run thus:—

Faire stood the Wind for France

When we our Sayles advance,

Nor now to prove our chance

Longer will tarry;

But putting to the Mayne,

At Kaux, the Mouth of Seyne,

With all his Martiall Trayne,

Landed King Harry.

They now to fight are gone,

Armour on armour shone,

Drumme now to Drumme did grone,

To heare was wonder:

That with the Cryes they make,

The very earth did shake,

Trumpet to Trumpet spake,

Thunder to Thunder.

15.

Upon Saint Crispin’s day

Fought was this Noble Fray,

Which Fame did not delay

To England to carry;

O when shall English Men

With such Acts fill a Pen,

Or England breed againe

Such a King Harry!