Iberia Won; A poem descriptive of the Peninsular War / With impressions from recent visits to the battle-grounds, and copious historical and illustrative notes

by T. M. Hughes

And yet France loved thee—loved thy daring flight,

Thy mighty genius—thy creative power;

The soldier’s idol and the hind’s delight—

For ’twas the people made thee like a tower

That topt all Nations! In thy happier hour

A glorious code thou gav’st. Thy sway was just

To France—thy monuments a deathless dower.

No luxury turned thy energies to rust.

A Conqueror why become? why serve Ambition’s lust?