Humorous Poems/The Battle of Blenheim
For other versions of this work, see The Battle of Blenheim.
THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM.
It was a summer evening Old Kaspar's work was done; And he before his cottage door Was sitting in the sun. And, by him sported on the green His little grandchild Wilhelmine.
She saw her brother Peterkin Roll something large and round, Which he beside the rivulet, In playing there had found. He came to ask what he had found, That was so large, and smooth, and round.
Old Kaspar took it from the boy, Who stood expectant by; And then the old man shook his head, And with a natural sigh,
'Tis some poor fellow's scull', said he,Who fell in the great victory:
⟨'I⟩ find them in the garden, forThere's many here aboutAnd often when I go to plough.The ploughshare turns them out;For many thousand men,' said he,'Were slain in the great victory.'
'Now tell us what 'twas all about,'Young Peterkin he cries;And little Wilhelmine looks upWith wonder-waiting eyes;'Now tell us all about the war,And what they killed each other for.'
'It was the English,' Kaspar cried,'Who put the French to rout;'But what they killed each other for,I could not well make out.But everybody said,' quoth he,'That 'twas a famous victory.
'My father liv'd at Blenheim then,Yon little stream hard by;They burn'd his dwelling to the ground,And he was forc'd to fly;So with his wife and child he fled,Nor had he where to rest his head.
With fire and sword the country roundWas wasted far and wide,And many a childing mother thenAnd new-born infant died.But things like that, you know, must beAt every famous victory.
They say it was a shocking sight After the field was won, For many thousand bodies here Lay rotting in the sun; But things like that, you know, must be After a famous victory
Great praise the Duke of Marlbrough ⟨won,⟩And our good Prince Eugene!''Why, 'twas a very wicked thing!'Said little Wilhelmine 'Nay—nay—my little girl,' quoth he, 'It was a famous victory.
And every body prais'd the duke, Who such a fight did win.' 'But what good came of it at last?' Quoth little Peterkin. 'Why that I cannot tell,' said he, 'But 'twas'a famous victory.' Southey.
FINIS.