The batter’d earth returns their tread.
Then prelude light, of livelier tone,
Express’d their merry marching on,
Ere peal of closing battle rose,
With mingled outcry, shrieks, and blows;
And mimic din of stroke and ward,
As broadsword upon target jarr’d;
And groaning pause, ere yet again,
Condensed, the battle yell’d amain;
The rapid charge, the rallying shout,