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The Poetical Works of Robert Browning (2); In a Balcony. Dramatis Personae. Dramatic Romances
The Poetical Works of Robert Browning In a Balcony Dramatis Personae Dramatic Romances - 2 Author:Robert Browning Volume: 2 General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1890 Original Publisher: F.A. Stokes company Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.co... more »m where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: DRAMATIC ROMANCES. INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP. You know, we French stormed Ratisbon: A mile or so away On a little mound, Napoleon Stood on our storming-dayj With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, Legs wide, arms locked behind, As if to balance the prone brow Oppressive with its mind. Just as perhaps he mused "My plans "That soar, to earth may fall, "Let once my army-leader Lannes "Waver at yonder wall," -- Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew A rider, bound on bound 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 -- (So tight he kept his lips compressed, Scarce any blood came through) You looked twice ere you saw his breast Was all but shot in two. IV. "WeH," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace "We've got you Ratisbon! "The Marshal's in the market-place, "And you'll be there anon "To see your flag-bird flap his vans "Where I, to heart's desire, "Perched him!" The chiefs eye flashed; his plans Soared up again like fire. The chiefs eye flashed; but presently Softened itself, as sheathes A film the mother-eagle's eye When her bruised eagle-t 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. THE PATRIOT. AN OLD STORY. It was roses, roses, all the way, With myrtle mixed in my path like mad: The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway, The churc...« less