THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. HALF a league, half a league, Half a league onward, Rode the six hundred. Charge for the guns!" he said: Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade!" Some one had blunder'd: Into the valley of Death Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. Flash'd all their sabres bare, All the world wonder'd: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre-stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell,— All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. When can their glory fade? Oh! the wild charge they made! Honour the charge they made! Noble six hundred ! TENNYSON. THE HOMES OF ENGLAND. "Where's the coward that would not dare To fight for such a land? MARMION. THE stately homes of England! O'er all the pleasant land! The deer across their greensward bound, And the swan glides past them with the sound The merry homes of England! Around their hearths by night, What gladsome looks of household love Meet in the ruddy light! There woman's voice flows forth in song, Or childhood's tale is told, The blessed homes of England! Is laid the holy quietness That breathes from Sabbath hours! Solemn, yet sweet, the church-bells' chime Floats through their woods at morn; All other sounds, in that still time, The cottage homes of England! They are smiling o'er the silvery brooks, And fearless there the lowly sleep, The free, fair homes of England! May hearts of native proof be rear'd And green for ever be the groves, And bright the flowery sod, Where first the child's glad spirit loves Its country and its God! MRS. HEMANS. THE VICAR OF BRAY. SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER IN COLONEL IN good King Charles's golden days, And this is law-that I'll maintain, That whatsoever king shall reign, When royal James possess'd the crown, And read the declaration. The Church of Rome I found would fit Full well my constitution; And I had been a Jesuit, But for the Revolution. And this is law-that I'll maintain, Until my dying day, sir, That whatsoever king shall reign, Still I'll be vicar of Bray, sir. |