Rabid rodents who raven, red-fanged, in foul hordes,

Turco sewer-bred legions, who earth's fairest regions

Would ravage like Tamerlane's Tartar-swung swords.

Terrors untameable, horrors unnameable,

Mark their maraudings and hang on their track.

Now in fresh numbers they swarm, whilst he slumbers

Who once was the plague of the pestilent pack.

But—Who said—Atrocities? Old animosities

Wake in his spirit and stir in his blood.

Eh? What? Retirement? Nay, not if requirement,