“Speak out,” said the kindly Colonel, “if you’ve anything, lad, to say;
Your Queen and your dear old country shall hear what you’ve done to-day!”
But the trooper gnawed his chin strap, then sheepishly hung his head;
“Speak out, old chap!” said his comrades. With an effort, at last, he said—
“There sits by your side on the Staff, sir, a man we are proud to own!
He was struck down first in the battle, but never was heard to groan;
If I’ve done aught to deserve it,”—then the General smiled, “Of course!”—
“Give back to the Tenth their Colonel—the Man on the old White Horse!
“I came to the front with my pals here, the boys, and the brave old tars,
I’ve fought for my Queen and my country, and rode with the Tenth Hussars;