THE FIELD OF WATERLOO. A POEM. 44 Though Valois braved young Edward's gentle hand, And Albert rush'd on Henry's way-worn band, With Europe's chosen sons, in arms renown'd, Nor Audley's squires nor Mowbray's yeomen brook'd,— They saw their standard fall, and left their monarch bound." AKENSIDE. ADVERTISEMENT. It may be some apology for the imperfections of this poem, that it was composed hastily, and during a short tour upon the Continent, when the Author's labours were liable to frequent interruption; but its best apology is, that it was written for the purpose of assisting the Waterloo Subscription. ABBOTSFORD, 1815. 296) ΤΟ HER GRACE THE DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON PRINCESS OF WATERLOO, &c. &c. &c. THE FOLLOWING VERSES ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. THE FIELD OF WATERLOO. I. FAIR Brussels, thou art far behind, Peal'd over orchard and canal, With voice prolong'd and measured fall With birch and darksome oak between, "["The wood of Soignies is supposed to be a remnant of the forest of Ardennes, famous in Boiardo's Orlando, and immortal in Shakspeare's 'As you Like it.' It is also celebrated in Tacitus as being the spot of successful defence by the Germans against the Roman encroachments."-BYRON.] |