Blot out his name, then, record one lost soul more, One wrong more to man, one more insult to God! 25 Best fight on well, for we taught him-strike gallantly, 30 MY LAST DUCHESS THAT's my last Duchess painted on the wall, That piece a wonder, now; Frà Pandolf's hands Half-flush that dies along her throat": such stuff A heart - how shall I say? -too soon made glad, She rode with round the terrace-all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. She thanked men, good! but My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name as if she ranked With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame This sort of trifling? Even had you skill In speech (which I have not) — to make your will Or there exceed the mark”— and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set 20 25 30 35 40 Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse, E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; 45 Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands. As if alive. Will 't please you rise? We'll meet The company below, then. I repeat, The Count your master's known munificence Of mine for dowry will be disallowed; 50 Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me! 55 INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP I You know, we French stormed Ratisbon: A mile or so away, On a little mound, Napoleon Stood on our storming-day; With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, As if to balance the prone brow II Just as perhaps he mused "My plans Let once my army-leader Lannes. Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew Full-galloping; nor bridle drew Until he reached the mound. III Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect By just his horse's mane, a boy: You hardly could suspect -- 5 10 15 20 (So tight he kept his lips compressed, You looked twice ere you saw his breast IV "Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace We've got you Ratisbon ! The Marshal's in the market-place, To see your flag-bird flap his vans Where I, to heart's desire, Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed; his plans Soared up again like fire. V The chief's eye flashed; but presently Softened itself, as sheathes A film the mother-eagle's eye When her bruised eaglet breathes; "You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride Touched to the quick, he said: "I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside Smiling the boy fell dead. BOOT AND SADDLE BOOT, saddle, to horse, and away! Brightens to blue from its silvery grey, CHORUS. Boot, saddle, to horse, and away! 25 30 35 40 Ride past the suburbs, asleep as you'd say; Forty miles off, like a roebuck at bay, Who? My wife Gertrude; that, honest and gay, 5 10 15 From PIPPA PASSES THE YEAR'S AT THE SPRING THE year's at the spring God's in his heaven All's right with the world! 5 |