Witness disastrous Fontenoy,
When all seemed lost, who brought us through?
Who saved defeat? secured retreat?
And bore the brunt?—the “Forty-Two!”
So, at Corunna’s grand retreat,
When, far outnumbered by the foe,
The patriot Moore made glorious halt,
Like setting sun in fiery glow.
Before us foam’d the rolling sea,
Behind, the carrion eagles flew;