80-2. Nelson is also buried in St. Paul’s. In these lines he is represented as speaking.
99. Assaye. A village in Hindostan. Here in 1803 Wellington (then Arthur Wellesley) with only 5,000 men defeated an army of over 30,000 Mahrattas.
104-5. Referring to the lines of Torres Vedras, which were constructed by Wellington as defences in the Peninsular war, during the years 1810-11.
112. After the battle of Vittoria in 1813, the French armies crossed the Pyrenees and withdrew from Spain.
her eagles. Napoleon took the eagle as his standard.
119. Refers to the renewal of the war after the escape of Napoleon from Elba.
ravening. Rapacious, devouring ravenously.
123. that loud Sabbath. The battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, June 18, 1815.
129. The sun is said to have shone through the breaking clouds just as the Allies made their final charge against the French.
136. silver-coasted. Referring to the white chalk cliffs of southern England.