Ay, now the soul of battle is abroad—

It burns upon the air! The joyous winds

Are tossing warrior-plumes, the proud white foam

Of battle’s roaring billows! On my sight

The vision bursts—it maddens! ’tis the flash,

The lightning-shock of lances, and the cloud

Of rushing arrows, and the broad full blaze

Of helmets in the sun! The very steed

With his majestic rider glorying shares

The hour’s stern joy, and waves his floating mane