The eyes of forty centuries are fixed this day on you!”
They answered him with ringing shouts, they were eager for the fray,
Napoleon held their central square, in front was bold Desaix;
They gave one glance to the Pyramids, one glance to the rich Cairo,
And then they poured a rain of fire upon their charging foe.
Only a little drummer boy, from the column of Dufarge,
Tottered to where the “Forty-third” stood waiting for their “charge,”
Bleeding—but beating still his call—he said, with tear-dimmed eye:
“I’m but a baby, Forty-third, so teach me how to die!”
Then Regnier gnawed his long gray beard, and Joubert turned away,