Page:Florence Earle Coates Mine and Thine 1904 049.jpg

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A BALLAD OF A DRUM

The Austrians at Arcola
(The fight had lasted long),
The Austrians at Arcola—
Some fifty thousand strong—
Assailed the bridge whereto the French
(A fourth their strength) had come,
With menace dire, and murderous fire;
Then fled before a drum!


For Estienne at Arcola—
Heroic little lad!—
Seeing the carnage on the bridge,
With soul grown sick and sad,

49