Poems (Nealds)/Stanzas (Why beat those loudly rolling drums)

by Adeline Martha Nealds

For works with similar titles, see Stanzas.

STANZAS.

Why beat those loudly rolling drums,
 Why that bold trumpet's sound,
And say, 'what conqu'ring hero comes'
 With wreaths of laurel crown'd?
Tis, He green Erin's darling son,
The brave, the gallant Wellington!

Where is the victor's blood-stain'd car,
 Where is the captive's chain?
He brings no trophy of the war
 From Waterloo's red plain,
Save the immortal name he won;
That is enough for Wellington!

For when he'd gain'd that fated field,
 He call'd for gentle peace;
And holding high his conqu'ring shield,
 He bade the battle cease.
"My soldiers, ye have bravely done,"
Said the victorious Wellington!

"Now search the field of Waterloo!
 Search for the prostrate Gaul!
Shew mercy on each fallen foe,
 Shew mercy one and all!"
Thus! thus! spoke mercy's dearest son,
The truly noble Wellington!

And now he guides the helm of state
 Through many a troubled sea,
Though factions dire around him wait,
 Yet firm and fix'd is he.
To shew that freedom's truest son
Is the illustrious Wellington!

And see around his noble brow
 Three various wreaths combin'd,
The laurel, and the olive bough,
 With mercy's lilies twined.
All, all these wreaths were nobly won,
By th' all-conqu'ring Wellington!