XII.

Vain, Boyer, thy decision—vain, Maucune,

Thy energy. Soult hears the cannonade

At Espelette, and rushes forth full soon;

But ere he comes his camps a prey are made

By Britain’s sons beneath Andaya’s shade.

Zugáramurdi feels the advancing power,

And D’Erlon sees his post by Fate betrayed—

The Lusitan battalion’s fairest flower

Alone by France cut down in that eventful hour.