The direful battle's gentle guest:
'Twas mine to watch, inspire, reward;
To honor all—to crown the best.
But who that stranger chief from far
That like some brave ship tempest-tossed
Bore on o'er all the waves of war;
Redeemed a battle all but lost?
I knew. The victor's crown I dropp'd
Upon thy brows, my future lord:
That night thou satt'st—O boon unhoped—