And then that glorious field appeared.[487] Oh! lad, I see it now!
But little time had we to spare for idle gazing then:
Beneath us in the valley,[488] stood a dark-clad mass of men:
It cut the British line in two. Our Colonel shouted, “There![489]
Behold your work! Our orders are to charge and break that square!”
Each trooper drew a heavy breath, then gathered up his reins,
And pressed the helmet o’er his brow, the horses tossed their manes
In protest fierce against the curb, and spurned[490] the springy heath,
Impatient for the trumpet’s sound to bid them rush to death.
Well, boy, that moment seemed an hour: at last we heard the words—