Classic Poem

The Heroes of the Alma!
Right gallantly they fought!
No flinching knave,
Or craven slave,
For coward quarter sought!
But manfully, and zealously,
Each hero struck, that day,
As up the height
The arm of might
Impelled the strong array.

The heroes of the Alma!
Intrepidly they stood,
As stood of old
Their Fathers bold,
On Cressy's field of blood.
Right manfully, and zealously,
They pressed the swerving foe—
Not all his might
Could hold the height
Against so firm a blow.

The heroes of the Alma!
Exultingly they trode;
Though every breath
Was fraught with death,
Loud swelled the Battle-Ode,
Right manfully, and thrillingly,
Uprose the Victor-Psalm,
As on the height,
With arm of might,
The Allies grasped the palm.

The Heroes of the Alma!
Well may their pæans flow:
For never yet
Was tyrant met
With more decisive blow!
Right manfully, intrepidly,
Each Briton proved his might,
And every Gaul
Stood up a Saul,
Upon that groaning height.

Brave Heroes of the Alma!
Each man a Victor-God!
Your noble dead,
Who fought and bled,
Cry vengeance from the sod!
Right manfully, and zealously,
Uphold your high renown,
And heav'n will aid
Each righteous blade
To strike the Tyrant down!