"How they'll greet us!" and all in a moment his roan Rolled neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone; And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight 45 Of the news which alone could save Aix from her fate,° With his nostrils like pits full of blood to the brim, And with circles of red for his eye-sockets' rim. 50 Then I cast loose my buff-coat, each holster let fall. good, 55 Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood. INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP You know, we French stormed Ratisbon: Stood on our storming-day; 60 On a little mound, Napoleon With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, 5 Just as perhaps he mused" "My plans Let once my army-leader Lannes Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew Full-galloping; nor bridle drew Until he reached the mound. Then off there flung in smiling joy, By just his horse's mane, a boy: (So tight he kept his lips compressed, You looked twice ere you saw his breast "Well," cried he, " Emperor, by God's grace We've got you Ratisbon! The Marshal's in the market-place, And you'll be there anon To see your flag-bird° flap his vans Where I, to heart's desire, Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed; his plans Soared up again like fire. The chief's eye flashed; but presently Softened itself, as sheathes A film the mother-eagle's eye When her bruised eaglet breathes; "You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride Touched to the quick, he said: "I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside, Smiling the boy fell dead. 35 40 THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN A CHILD'S STORY (Written for, and inscribed to, W. M. the Younger) I HAMELIN Town's in Brunswick, By famous Hanover city; The river Weser, deep and wide, Almost five hundred years ago, From vermin, was a pity. Rats! II They fought the dogs and killed the cats, 5 10 And ate the cheeses out of the vats, And licked the soup from the cooks' own ladles, 15 Split open the kegs of salted sprats, III At last the people in a body To the Town Hall came flocking: 20 ""Tis clear," cried they, "our Mayor's a noddy; And as for our Corporation - shocking To think we buy gowns lined with ermine Or, sure as fate, we'll send you packing!" IV An hour they sat in council; At length the Mayor broke silence: It's easy to bid one rack one's brain Just as he said this, what should hap "Bless us," cried the Mayor, "what's that?" 45 (With the Corporation as he sat, Looking little though wondrous fat; Nor brighter was his eye, nor moister Save when at noon his paunch grew mutinous 50 Anything like the sound of a rat Makes my heart go pit-a-pat!" V "Come in!" the Mayor cried, looking bigger: Had walked this way from his painted tombstone!" VI He advanced to the council-table: 70 And, "Please your honors," said he, "I'm able, By means of a secret charm, to draw All creatures living beneath the sun, That creep or swim or fly or run, And I chiefly use my charm On creatures that do people harm, 75 |