The Elocutionist (1840-1850)/The Battle of Hohenlinden

by Thomas Campbell

For other versions of this work, see Hohenlinden.

THE BATTLE OF HOHENLINDEN.

On Linden when the sun was low,
All bloodless lay the untrodden snow,
And dark as winter was the flow
Of Iser rolling rapidly;

But Linden saw another sight,
When the drum beat; at dead of night,
Commanding fires of death to light
The darkness of her scenery!

By torch and trumpet fast arrayed,
Each horseman drew his battle blade,
And furious every charger neighed,
To join the dreadful revelry.

Then shook the hills with thunder riven!
Then rushed the steed to battle driven!
And louder than the bolts of Heaven,
Far flashed the red artillery!

But redder yet the sun shall glow,
On Linden's hills of stained snow;
⟨And⟩ bloodier yet the torrent flow
Of Iser rolling rapidly.

⟨'Tis⟩ morn—but scarce yon level sun
⟨Can⟩ pierce the war-cloud rolling dun,
⟨Where⟩ furious Frank and fiery Hun
Shout in their sulphurous canopy!

⟨The⟩ combat deepens—On, ye brave,
⟨Who⟩ rush to glory and the grave!
⟨Wave⟩, Munich, all thy banners wave,
And charge with all thy chivalry—

⟨Few⟩, few shall part where many meet!
⟨The⟩ snow shall be their winding sheet;
⟨And⟩ every turf beneath their feet
Shall be a soldier’s sepulchre! Campbell.