To deathless fame he loudly pleads his right,—

Just is his title,—for he will not fight:

All soldiers valour, all divines have grace,

As maids of honour beauty,—by their place:

But, when indulging on the last campaign,

His lofty terms climb o'er the hills of slain;

He gives the foes he slew, at each vain word,

A sweet revenge, and half absolves his sword.

Of boasting more than of a bomb afraid,

A soldier should be modest as a maid: