SOLFERINO.
I.
On Solferino’s dizzy heights there grew
The bright green grass and here and there were seen
The golden hues of flow’rets shining fair,
The bright, warm sunshine sparkled on the world
And all the cloudlets of the azure sky
Dark shadows threw upon the happy scene.
II.
But on the crest of that tall cliff there frowned
The battered walls the battlements and tow’rs,
And in the castle Solferino’s prince
Walked to and fro and ’round him stood his men.
And ere the heart had time to falter once
Was heard the deafening rolling cannon’s roar.
III.
“The foe has come!” They flew to arms, and ere
The echoes quite had died away, they gave
Forth shot for shot and shout for shout.
Then was thy life-blood spilt! That day
Was one of woe to thee Sardinia!
Those lives have left forevermore this earth.